Save The World, Duh!

by TheKing2001

Rating: teen
Tags: Profanity, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Lyra, Romance, Trixie, Mystery, Octavia, Comedy, Bon-Bon, Starlight Glimmer, Equestria Girls
Length: 62182

Lyra and her crew help Starlight and Trixie as the two other unicorns discover a plot to destroy Equestria. The humans turned ponies work to save one of their own.

When invited to the Sunset Festival alongside Octavia and her friends, Lyra helps Starlight uncover a plot against Equestria while dealing with a seeming betrayal from one of their own. The humans turned ponies find not everyone in this world is friendly once again.

(Part of this universe. Be sure to join the group.) https://www.fimfiction.net/group/217012/sunsets-and-the-others-lives

Published 2023-08-22 19:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2023-09-13 21:32:30 UTC

Chapter Two

Minuette

“This is worse than any college party hangover and I’ve had a lot of those,” Berry Punch moaned as I pushed myself to my hooves. My fiancee laid on her stomach with a hoof pressed over her mouth.

“Do you want a hoof?” A familiar voice came from behind me. I turned my head as Berry Punch lifted hers up. Both our eyes widened at the orange unicorn with a fiery red and orange mane and a sun tattoo.

“Sunset?” Berry asked in surprise. “Is that you?”

“In the flesh,” Sunset chuckled as a light blue glow enveloped and picked up Berry. She started flailing her hooves before they straightened and she stood on all four legs. “There you go.”

“Look mom I’m walking like a pony!” Ruby exclaimed as she wobbled from side to side. The little unicorn tipped over and her eyes widened as she landed on a grey unicorn foal.

“Quick Cherry Berry get the camera!” Berry demanded as Cherry Berry felt around her neck and let out an eep as she turned bright red and covered her chest with her hooves. Sunset rolled her eyes and trotted over to her, gently moving her hooves.

“It’s normal to not wear clothes as a pony,” Sunset explained as she levitated Cherry Berry onto her hooves. “You’re fine.”

“So who’s who?” I asked as I took a shaky step towards Berry Punch.

“That’s Bon Bon, Lyra, Octavia, Derpy, Adagio, Sonata, Aria, Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, Mom, Ruby and I would assume that’s Dinky,” Sunset said as pointed to each pony one by one. “I would assume the lavender unicorn with the blonde ponytail and exploding firework for a cutie mark is Lavender and the turquoise pegasus with the tornado and lightning bolt is Lightning.”

“You look adorable!” Silver Spoon gushed as she hugged Sunsets foreleg. She had a silver coin tattoo on her flanks, Diamond had a crown with a heart background and Scootaloo had a sword with a shield. “You have tattoos?”

“They’re your cutie marks,” the other mare in the room commented. I didn’t recognize her. I don’t remember her coming with us. “They represent your true self. Yours is a coin so your fate is probably a banker or you have a lot of money, you with the crown is either from royalty or you are destined to lead. You with the shield are probably meant to be a royal guard and protect ponies.”

“I’m not from royalty,” Diamond said with a small smile. “I don’t want to lead anything either. I’m going to be a police officer, Scootaloo here wants to be a professional rally driver and Silver Spoon wants to be a lawyer.”

“Huh,” the mare mused with a hoof on her chin. “Interesting. I’m Starlight Glimmer by the way. The others know me but you all don’t. Cutie marks do represent your true selves so I would assume you like helping people, you are good at leading and you are good at managing money?”

“Sounds like them,” Sunset chuckled as she hugged Silver Spoon back. “You three look adorable as well.”

“Why don’t we have cutie marks?” Dinky pouted as she gestured to Ruby. “That’s mean!”

“Probably haven’t discovered your true talents yet,” Sunset answered as Ruby and Dinky looked even more upset. “But everybody has one! You’re still young. You’ll find your calling!”

“Uh oh,” Lavender muttered as we all looked at her.

“Oh not again,” Lyra groaned as she and the others took nervous steps back. A blue shield formed in front of us as Ruby and Dinky were placed next to Lavender by Starlight.

“What’s going on?” Cherry Berry asked worriedly.

“Achoo!” Lavender sneezed and a light purple laser shot out of her horn and bounced off the wall. “Achoo!”

“That,” Octavia said flatly as Dinky and Ruby started sneezing themselves and firing off lasers.

“You remember when we were doing that?” Lyra laughed as she nudged Vinyl. “That was awesome!”

“Oh yeah real awesome,” Bon Bon glared at the two. “You almost decapitated me and Twilight!”

“But we didn’t,” Lyra countered with a grin.

“What on earth is happening?” Berry Punch demanded as she stared at the lasers hitting the shield.

“They’re experiencing a magic overload in a sense,” Starlight explained. “Happened apparently when Sunset brought the others over. They destroyed this room last time. We just got to teach them how to control their magic and it should stop.”

“Should?” I echoed in shock. “That’s not very reassuring.”

“Oh don’t worry,” Sunset reassured us as she stepped out from the shield. “It’s easy. It was last time. Where’s Twilight anyway?”

“She and the others are currently trying to calm down Steven Magnet again. After the last time I went with them and found out he was crying over a scale being a shade different than the rest, I quit helping,” Starlight admitted with an eyeroll. “He’s just a big drama king.”

“So a male version of Rarity?” Aria asked with a smirk. She lacked wings and a horn with matching hair to Starlight and had a purple star cutie mark. Sonata had two two blue hair with a heart cutie mark covered with a music note.

“Pretty much,” Starlight chuckled as we watched the three other unicorns quit sneezing. Adagio had large orange hair similar to her human form and had a yellow gem with a music note behind it.

“Why are they earth ponies?” Vinyl asked and pointed a hoof at the three sirens. “They flew during the battle of the bands.”

“Those were our true forms,” Adagio agreed readily. “In the history books, they are signs of terror. As humans, we carried them in our gems. Those bodies were like a vessel in a way. These are our vessels in a way over here. Sonata prefers this over flying.”

“Do you still have them?” Bon Bon asked as I tilted my head to look back at my cutie mark of a clock.

“Nah,” Aria shook her head. “If we did, they would have came out after we absorbed enough magic when we sang recently. Those are gone unfortunately.”

“You guys can go explore,” Sunset said as she looked back at us. “It’s gonna take me a bit to teach these four. Starlight will show you around.”

We all nodded as we followed Starlight out.

“Bye mom!” Ruby waved a hoof as she tilted forward. “Woah!” Sunset caught her with a hoof and snickered.

“Bye Ruby. I’ll meet you after you’re done! Behave for your cousin!”

“I will!”

Chapter Three

Rainbow

I sat crosslegged on the grass in front of the statue, watching Sunset teach Lavender, Ruby and Dinky magic. True to her word, she had cast a spell immediately that allowed us to see into Equestria.

“Can’t get over the fact they’re okay being naked,” Rarity muttered with a stunned expression.

“They’re adorable!” Fluttershy gushed happily. “I just wanna pick up one up and hug them and scratch their ears.”

“Alright Lavender,” Sunset sighed as she set down a teacup and Cloudkicker leaned forward eagerly. “Try to not destroy it this time. This is just like the time Twilight and I tried to teach Lyra and Vinyl how to control their magic. Amethyst has a surprisingly good hold on it already.”

“Thank you,” Amethyst said smugly as she juggled some teacups in a teal glow. “I’m surprised you didn’t have Minuette stay behind. She’s a unicorn.”

“Older ponies naturally have a good grasp on their magic. If anything happens, Starlight is there,” Sunset answered with a wave of a hoof. “Besides, I have you four to teach. That’s a lot for one mare.”

“I did it!” Lavender exclaimed with a grin as she held a teacup in a lavender glow. The last attempts she had broke it to pieces.

“You think they can hear us?” Blossomforth asked curiously.

“Yes,” Sunset answered with an eyeroll. “We can hear you. Picture it like us having headphones on so we can hear you directly in our ears. So don’t scream please. Pinkie, I’m looking at you.”

“Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie said cheerfully as she balanced on her hands.

“Great job Dinky!” Sunset patted the tiny unicorn on the head. I will never say this out loud but Dinky and Sunset made for adorable unicorns. And Ruby too. “You too Ruby!”

“So wait who’s looking after your pets?” Lavender asked curiously as she set the cup down.

“Derpys mom and dad are,” Sunset answered. “They volunteered. Plus, they played dirty by using Dinky and Amethyst as leverage.” Sunset snickered as she affectionately rubbed Dinkys hair.

“Can we explore now?” Ruby asked eagerly. “Please?”

“We got a handle on our magic!” Dinky added with a big smile. “We promise!” The two gazed up at Sunset with their unnaturally large eyes and smiles.

“That is so adorable!” Fluttershy squealed quietly as Blossomforth nodded rapidly.

“Agreed,” Blossomforth agreed and pressed a hand over her heart. “About to become diabetic.”

“Diabetic from adorableness,” Rarity chuckled.

“Why didn’t I get to go and Scootaloo did?” Sweetie Belle grumbled as she crossed her arms. She and Apple Bloom had joined us a few moments before. Apparently Blossomforth had texted Roseluck and her sisters in an attempt to get them to join us as well.

“Because it wouldn’t be fair to push you off onto Sunset darling. Maybe next time if we get to go, you can come with us,” Rarity reassured her little sister.

“Yay!”

“We can explore after we practice teleportation,” Sunset promised. “You two don’t gotta because it takes a lot of magic. I want Amethyst and Lavender to try at least.”

“You can teleport?” Sci Twi asked in awe as she pushed her glasses up. Sunset gave a smug nod as her horn flashed. The five stood on top of a snowy mountain top as Sunsets horn flashed again and they were back in the castle.

“Little warning next time please,” Lavender groaned as she staggered. “Feel like I’m gonna vomit.”

“Sorry,” Sunset said sheepishly. “Such deja vu right now. The last time Lyra tried teleportation, she got us trapped in a snowbank on Mount Everhoof.”

“Okay,” Lavender sighed and stared at Sunset. “I’ll go.”

“Think of something you like. Whether it’s baked goods, sleeping, movies anything,” Sunset instructed. “Picture the place and focus on your horn and you’ll go there.” Lavender nodded as she grunted and bead of sweat worked down her chin as her horn flashed and she disappeared.

“Woah,” Cloudkicker whispered in awe. “My cousin is so cool.” Lavender reappeared and staggered into Sunset who instantly caught her in her hooves.

“Great job Lav!” Sunset patted her on the back. “You can rest, you did great.”

“T-thanks,” Lavender mumbled as she folded her forelegs under her and wrapped her tail around herself. Sunset’s tail swished as she faced Amethyst.

“Same with you,” Sunset said with a smile. Amethyst nodded and closed her eyes as she gritted her teeth and her horn flashed as she disappeared. “Where did you go Lavender?”

“Ocean,” she said simply as she yawned. “Met a mare named Sea Swirl. Apparently she lives in Ponyville. We’re apparently hanging this weekend I think? I also accidentally startled her mid dive.”

“I vaguely know her,” Sunset admitted as she waited for Amethyst to appear. “She went to Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns with me. She’s seeing Sassaflash I think Lemon Hearts said last time I was here since Sassaflash broke it off with Caramel.”

“Huh interesting,” Lavender yawned as she rested her head on her forelegs. Sunset jumped slightly as Amethyst reappeared with sticks sticking out of her mane. “What happened to you?”

“Got stuck in some bushes,” Amethyst admitted sheepishly as we laughed. Sunset smirked as she pulled the sticks out with her magic and tossed them out of the window. “Thank you. So what does your cutie mark represent?”

“The red of the sun represents my ambition towards my tasks. The gold represents blowing my tasks out of the water. Kind of like getting a gold medal,” Sunset explained as she sighed. “It’s why I was an effective bully. I used my special talent for anything I felt I could get away with.”

“Well you’re better now,” Amethyst said as she placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Oh I know,” Sunset laughed. “Just explaining my cutie mark. The bully comment might not have been the best example. I once finished fourth in the Running of the Leaves in my hometown.”

“The what?” Cloudchaser asked curiously.

“Running of the Leaves. It’s how we ponies get ready for winter. The running of the ponies knocks the leaves off the trees so the pegasi can bring the rest of the winter in,” Sunset explained. A loud snoring sound made Sunset and Amethyst look back at a sleeping Lavender. “Time to carry her to her room it looks.”

Sunset levitated Lavender onto her back and trotted out of the room to the stairs with Amethyst behind her. Applejack gave Sunset an impressed look as Sunset opened a door with her magic and placed Lavender on the bed.

“Let’s let her get some sleep,” Sunset suggested as she closed the door behind her and Amethyst after they walked out. “Where to now?”

“Well the girls are downstairs. We can catch up with Starlight and the others.”.

Author's Note

So I left work earlier and my work area is popular with homeless people. I never carry cash for context. I hate how I always see the homeless people on my side of the road especially after the car in front gives them money. I always feel like the biggest fucking asshole because I don't have cash on me to give them.

Chapter Four

Sunset

“God walking is so weird,” Lightning muttered as we trotted down the street.

“I know right?” Octavia snickered as we glanced at my family and the others who weren’t here before stumbling into each repeatedly. “It was hard to get used to before for us too.”

“Here hop on,” I folded my forelegs under me and nodded to Silver Spoon and Dinky. “I might be able to carry three but definitely not all of you fillies.” Silver and Dinky nodded as they scrambled onto my back and I stood up, giggling. Their hooves tickled in all honesty.

“Want a ride?” Starlight offered as she looked at Scootaloo and Ruby. “Just be careful around the horn.”

“I’m fine,” Scootaloo shook her head as Ruby jumped onto Starlights back. “I’ll walk with Diamond.”

“Thanks Starlight,” Ruby said as she wrapped her forelegs around Starlights neck.

“No problem,” Starlight said as we waited for Twilight and the others to join us at the farm. “We need to get coffee tomorrow Sunset and Derpy.”

“Okay,” I shrugged as I glanced at her. “Just us?”

“Yeah please,” Starlight said nervously as her hoof made a circle in the dirt. Derpy and I made eye contact with each other and nodded.

“Yeah sure. We’ll be staying the castle so you can wake us and we’ll go get breakfast together,” I said curiously.

“Okay,” Starlight started trotting in a circle as Rainbow landed in front of us and shook her mane.

“I swear, Steven Magnet annoys me,” Rainbow grumbled as I faintly made out the others back across the portal talking. I was starting to regret allowing us to hear them because my head hurt.

“Honestly darling, he isn’t that bad!” Equestrian Rarity exclaimed. “We must look our best.”

“She’s right,” Earth Rarity agreed and I had a feeling she was doing her typical hair flip thing. I reared up on my hind legs as Silver and Dinky yelped as I hugged Twilight.

“It’s been too long,” Twilight mused as she hugged me back. “I see you brought Cheerilee and who I presume is the rest of your family. Hopefully my castle isn’t destroyed again by these new unicorns I see with you.”

“Oh it’s in perfect condition,” I laughed as we dropped back down to all fours. “As perfect as it can be with Spike living there with you.”

“Spike is a nice dragon,” Starlight interjected with a smirk. “Though he does take up all the hot water.”

“Careful of the mane!” I exclaimed in pain as Dinky tugged on my mane.

“Sorry!” Dinky squeaked sheepishly. “I almost fell. Can we go back to the castle now? I’m tired and cold.”

“Yeah let’s go,” I answered as we turned around and started trotting back to the castle.

“Your guys rooms are there,” Twilight stated to the rest of my group as she pointed a hoof. “The rest who were here before know where they are. Adagio is staying with me, Sonata and Aria get a room you get the point. I figured Sunsets family would want to be near each other.”

“Don’t forget a soundproofing spell Twilight,” Aria quipped with a grin. Adagio glared at her as she whapped her sister upside the head with her hoof.

“None of that will be happening!” Adagio hissed in her sisters ear as we all covered up our laughter behind our hooves.

“Yeah yeah sure,” Aria grumbled as she rubbed the back of her head. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I snickered as Derpy and I entered our room with Scootaloo and I shut the door behind us with my magic. “How do you think Bon Bons mom is handling Equestria?”

“Oh she’s driving Bon Bon nuts,” Derpy giggled as I tossed the sheets off the bed. Sweetie Drops was a spitting image of Bon Bon except she had grey streaks in her curly pink and blue hair along with a scroll for a cutie mark. I was slightly surprised she wanted to come with but I couldn’t necessarily turn her down. She is my boss after all. “She is sharing a room with her and Lyra.”

“Pity,” I said with a smirk. “At least Amethyst is sharing a room with Dinky, Ruby and my sisters.” Well all of them except Scootaloo apparently.

“So we’re going to be pitching a tent around the statue,” Earth Rainbows voice tickled my ear and I jumped slightly. “Roseluck and her sisters are here too. We have a tarp covering the statue and our tent so only us can see and hear you guys.”

“You’re gorgeous Derpy!” Roses voice announced happily. “You too Sunset!”

“Thanks,” I smirked as I nudged Derpys wing. “Some feathers are out of place. Let me get them.” I nuzzle Derpys wing as she shivered and I spit a few broken ones out. “Done.”

“Thanks,” Derpy muttered with red cheeks.

“Why would you fixing her wings make her blush?” Daisy asked curiously.

“Wings are sensitive just like a unicorns horn. Only family or special someone’s are allowed to touch your wings. It’s a sign of trust and affection. Pegasi are known to have group preenings,” I explained as I gave Scootaloo a stern look. “If anyone tries to preen your wings, you tell Derpy, myself or anyone else here with us immediately.”

“Okay,” Scootaloo promised as she jumped on her bed. I rolled my eyes and smirked as I levitated her the rest of the way up and shoved her under the blankets. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I answered as I laid in bed next to Derpy.

“So what do you got planned these coming days?” Earth Fluttershy asked as I levitated a blanket over Derpy and myself.

“Well breakfast with Derpy and Starlight, hanging out with Twilight and the others. Gonna try to get Lemon Hearts and my worlds version of Amethyst along with a few other classmates together for dinner,” I answered and Derpy wrapped a wing around me. “Now goodnight guys.”

“Goodnight!” Blossomforth called out and I faintly made out rustling.

I reached out with my magic and shut the light off.

Chapter Five

Starlight

With a yawn, I kicked the blanket off me and clambered out of bed onto the floor before picking up my blankets in my magic and neatly making my bed. Twilight may or may not be a neat freak influence on me and it honestly scared me a bit. I never really cared for neatness before till now.

Satisfied, I trotted to the door of my room and straightened my sign that had an equal sign crossed out next to the door. I opened the door and walked through it, gently shutting it so I didn’t wake the sleeping ponies in the rooms next to mine.

I quietly trotted down the hall to the stairs, following them to the library. Sunset was surprisingly at a table in the library, reading a book. Derpy sat on the floor next to her reading a book on plants.

“You’re up early,” I yawned as I rubbed a eye.

“It’s only seven am,” Sunset answered as I glanced out the window to confirm it. “Derpy usually wakes me up this early.”

“Best time for muffins is early in the morning,” Derpy stated as she closed her book. “It’s habit for me at this point to get up super early.”

Sounded like me. I preferred getting up early whereas Trixie hated early mornings. I’ve quickly learned to not wake her up unless the wagon is on fire and even then she told me to let her burn.

“So ready to go get breakfast?” Sunset asked me as she brushed some of her mane out of her eyes in an attempt to get it back to her normal style.

“Yeah,” I answered with a smile. “Luckily the place isn’t too far from the castle. It’s mostly run by Berry Punch in the mornings because her bar isn’t open this early.”

“Huh interesting,” Sunset mused as she and Derpy joined me at the door. I opened it and we trotted down the steps as I closed it gently behind us. “I didn’t see Aunt Berry as the type to run a coffee shop.”

“Me neither,” Derpy admitted as I inhaled contently. I could faintly make out some of the early ponies setting up their stands in the market. Applejack and Big Mac, Golden Harvest along with Strawberry Sunrise and Cherry Berry setting up her sisters berry stand.

“It’s such a different environment here,” Sunset said with a smile as we continued our slow trot. “Back home, it’s always so busy. You never see people putting up stands like this.”

“Unless it’s a farmers market,” Derpy added as we approached a small business. I opened the door with a hoof and nodded at them. “Oh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I said as I followed them to the counter. A mulberry colored mare was leaning against and smiled at us. I had hated Berry Punch along with Bon Bon, Golden Harvest, Daisy, Raindrops, Cherry Berry and Shoeshine for a bit for being mean to Trixie until they apologized at least. We had a somewhat friendly relationship now.

“Hey Starlight!” Berry Punch said warmly as she got three coffee cups down. “Good morning. Brought a friend and Derpy?”

“This is Sunset Shimmer,” I introduced the two.

“Nice to meet ya,” Berry nodded at Sunset. “How do you want your coffee?”

“Oh uh fifty coffee, fifty creamer please,” Sunset answered after a moment.

“And you?” Berry turned to Derpy quizzically.

“I’ll just take a green tea if you got any,” Derpy said as Berry nodded.

“I’ll just take my usual along with a plate of blueberry muffins. A strawberry donut for me too please,” I waved a hoof as Berry nodded again.

“You got it,” Berry said as she disappeared behind a door with her tail flicking behind her. I could make out Bon Bon at a nearby table with Junebug and Octavia.

“So what’s on your mind?” Sunset asked me curiously as Berry quickly returned with our coffees and breakfast balanced expertly on her back. She quietly placed the coffees and muffins in front as disappeared again.

“So I wanted to apologize for stealing your cutie mark all those months ago and I hope we can be friends one day,” I said hopefully with a faint smile. Sunset and Derpy gave me confused looks before Sunset snickered.

“I thought we already were friends in all honestly,” Sunset laughed as she levitated a muffin to her mouth. “Water under the bridge Starlight. Don’t worry about it.”

“Really?” I asked in surprise as Derpy nodded with a smile. “Just like that?”

“Sunset and I are about forgiveness,” Derpy explained as she sipped her tea. “I’ve already forgiven you.”

“I have a feeling that’s not all you wanted to tell us, now is it?” Sunset asked casually. I sighed a took and a breath.

“Were you two friends before you became marefriends?” I asked cautiously as Sunset gave me a curious look.

“Yeah,” Sunset answered after a moment. “Why?”

“Did your guys friendship change much at all?” I asked nervously.

“No not really,” Derpy said as she shook her head. “Only thing that changed was I sleep in the same bed with her when I spend the night and we go on dates a lot more. Plus we are pretty affectionate.”

“Why?” Sunset asked again as she made eye contact with me.

“I may or may not like a friend,” I admitted nervously as I sipped my coffee.

“Twilight?” Sunset asked with a mischievous smirk. “Adagio has laid claim to her.” I choked on my coffee as Berry chuckled from the far end of the counter.

“No Trixie,” I admitted nervously.

“I wasn’t expecting that one,” Sunset admitted after a moment of silence. “I expected Twilight.”

“I get that a lot,” I chuckled.

“And you came to us because we’re the only two you know who are girls and dating each other right?” Sunset asked with a knowing look. I gave a sheepish nod. “Well does Trixie know?”

“No,” I admitted as I stirred a spoon in my coffee. “I was afraid she’d abandon me.”

“Well first off tell her,” Derpy instructed. “If she’s anything like the Trixie we know, she won’t abandon you. Honesty is important.”

“That’s what I told her,” Berry quipped as she continued wiping the counter top next to us. “She almost did before short circuiting.”

“Thanks for that,” I grumbled as I drank from my cup. “You were right, I’ll give you that.”

“You’re welcome,” Berry said with a grin as she leaned on the bartop. “Maybe finally you two get together.”

“We will help you two,” Derpy announced with a grin.

“Wait both of you?” I asked in surprise. I only expected advice, not help.

“Mhm!” Sunset agreed eagerly. “Now let’s finish our breakfast. The others are probably wondering where we are.”

Berry gave me a wink as I nodded sheepishly and bit into a muffin.

Chapter Six

Rainbow

“What I miss?” I asked curiously as I climbed under the tarp covering the statue and tent my friends, Cloudkicker and her friends, Daisy and her sisters had slept in. “Anything cool happen?”

“Sunset and Derpy said they would help Starlight get with Trixie,” Daisy said helpfully. “Apparently she has feelings for her so Starlight was asking how they started out and stuff. Really enlightening stuff.”

“Even I didn’t know this stuff they talked about,” Roseluck admitted as she sipped a coffee. Apparently Roseluck had gone with Pinkie to get us all coffees and donuts. Sunset had already been awake by the time we had woken up. Sunsets tail flicked back and forth as she levitated a book in front of her.

“My counterpart is so cool!” I announced happily as Lightning approached Sunset at the table in the library.

“I want you to read this,” Sunset said as she tapped the book with a hoof. “It’s how pegasus fly. We don’t have any pegasus in the group other than Fluttershy and Dash and I’m pretty sure you don’t want Dash as teacher.”

“Hey!” I glared at the portal as everyone laughed. “I’d be a great teacher!”

“Wait Derpy is a pegasus,” Lightning pointed out. “Can’t she teach me?”

“Derpy doesn’t prefer to fly. She prefers to walk in Equestria. She’s only flown a few times,” Sunset explained. “The time we slept together in bed before we started dating. She woke up and freaked out because she thought she upset me is one such time.”

“And why aren’t you having Scootaloo here learning?” Lightning pressed curiously as she opened the book.

“Equestrian Scootaloo is born with defective wings. They can flap and stuff but she can’t get more than a few feet off the ground. We both agreed it didn’t really seem fair if the Equestrian Scootaloo saw her counterpart flying when she couldn’t,” Sunset explained quietly as she placed her hooves on the table.

“That’s awful,” Fluttershy whispered as she pressed a hand over her mouth. “Poor pony Scootaloo.”

“Yeah,” Sunset agreed. “After we get a few chapters in, maybe we can find Dash and have her show you the ropes. I can use magic to fly but it’s not really the same thing as having wings.”

“Must be nice to have magic,” Lightning grumbled. “I can’t figure these hooves out.”

“It’ll take a while,” Sunset said with a smirk. “Imagine how I felt coming into your world and having to learn to walk on two feet. It was an experience.”

“You never really talk about life back here,” Roseluck commented casually. “What was it like?”

“Nice,” Sunset said simply. “Unless I’m in heat then it sucks.”

“Heat?” Raindrops raised an eyebrow as she folded her arms.

“It’s when we go into mating season,” Sunset answered and waved her hoof. “Our bodies tell us to well have sex to reproduce. The mares give off a scent. I always just used my magic to remove the smell I gave off so I didn’t have a million stallions coming up to me.”

“Oh that’s uh,” Rarity paused as she turned red. “Interesting? I prefer to not think about my friends having sex.”

“I actually kind of prefer being in heat,” Sunset admitted without looking up from her book. “It only comes once a year. In the human world, it comes every month and it’s painful. Plus I can’t use my magic to get rid of it.”

“I never thought about it that way,” Lightning mused as she bit the page and turned it. “So you guys can only reproduce during heat?”

“Oh no,” Sunset laughed as she winked. “We can have sex whenever we want. We’re like humans, we have sex for fun too. Believe it or not, my first time was in my human body.”

“Ooh with who?” Cloudchaser teased with grin.

“Derpy,” Sunset said simply. “Obviously. I wasn’t into Flash to ever offer.”

“Thank god Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom aren’t here for this conversation,” Rarity muttered under her breath. “Never been more grateful for Pinkie needing a cupcake than I do right now.”

“Sunset help!” Silver Spoon screamed as Sunsets head shot up and looked to the door. Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, Ruby and Dinky rolled into the room in a ball.

“Uhm what’s the problem?” Sunset asked and bit her lip to hide her smirk.

“We accidentally rolled down the hill and well we all got stuck and tangled up. A nice pegasus mare rolled us in,” Ruby explained as a white pegasus with a watermelon mane and a flower cutie mark trotted in.

“Is this where Sunset is?” The mare asked curiously. “Diamond Tiara said to come to Princess Twilights castle.”

“I’m right here,” Sunset answered with a sigh as she started untangling the fillies.

“Ah okay,” the mare smiled and I tilted my head in confusion. The voice sounded familiar. “I’m Blossomforth. They were trying to run down the hill and things evidently went wrong.” We all looked at our version of Blossomforth before looking back to the pegasus.

“Wow you look good as a pony,” Cloudkicker teased and elbowed Blossom with a wink.

“Guide to flying one oh one,” Equestrian Blossomforth read as she flapped her wings above Lightning. “If you’re trying to fly, I know a mare who can help you.”

“Really?” Lightning asked eagerly as she leaned forward. “Who?”

“Meet me on the field near the Everfree tonight at eight,” Equestrian Blossomforth answered. “I’m technically at work right now with the weather team. Cloudkicker and I will meet you there.”

“What about Raindrops?” Sunset asked curiously as she placed Diamond on her back.

“I mean I guess she could come with. She’s kinda grumpy at times. I was going to bring along White Lightning and Sassaflash. Maybe Sprinkle Medley?” Equestrian Blossomforth answered with a shrug. “I really gotta get back to work. See you all then!”

“See ya!” Lightning called out.

Equestrian Blossomforth flapped her wings and flew out the door. We all looked at our Blossomforth as she inhaled.

“I’m a pegasus. That’s awesome.”

Chapter Seven

Lavender

I tucked my forelegs under my self and looked over at Lightning talking to the Equestrian version of Blossom. It was slightly awkward seeing her while hearing the other Blossomforth talking.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Octavia asked as she sat next to me. I glanced next to me at the grey mare.

“It’s nice here,” I said and looked at the clouds, feeling my horn with a hoof. “It smells cleaner here too if that makes sense.”

“That’s what I thought too when I first came here,” Octavia agreed with a small smile. “So simple here, but it’s nice in a way.”

“I feel bad that Trixie and Fuchsia aren’t here to experience this. Fuchsia would flip her lid,” I snickered as I flicked my tail. It was a weird thing to get used to having.

“Well love if I remember correctly, they encouraged you to come with,” Octavia answered with a frown. “Besides, if we ever come back they can come.”

“Fair,” I admitted as a few more pegasus landed next to Lightning and Sunset. “That one looks like me.”

“Which one?” Octavia asked as she tilted her head to the side. She followed my pointed hoof at the lavender pegasus with a blonde mane with a sun behind a cloud for a cutie mark. “She does, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah. Where’s Lyra and the others?” I asked curiously as Blossomforth trotted over.

“Lyra is visiting her counterpart, Bon Bon is baking with her counterpart. Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Dinky and Ruby are with Derpy and Starlight flying kites at the park right now. Vinyl is currently at some club. Sunsets aunts and mom are at the castle with Applejack at the moment. Think they mentioned scrapbooking?” Octavia shrugged. “Sunset is with us and Lightning. I don’t know here Sweetie Drops and Amethyst went. Think they are with Pinkie and Rarity at the moment.”

“Can you imagine both Pinkies meeting?” I laughed as Blossomforth sat down with her tail wrapped around her.

“That would be terrifying,” Octavia said and stretched her forelegs on the grass in front of her. “I think we all agreed to keep them from ever meeting.”

“That’s unfair,” Pinkie grumbled as I made out a chewing sound.

“Are you related to Cloud by any chance?” Blossomforth asked me curiously as she nodded to the lavender pegasus flapping her wings. “You look a lot like her.”

“That’s Cloudkicker?” I asked in surprise as Blossomforth nodded.

“Yeah. Cloudkicker, White Lightning, Sassaflash and Sprinkle Medley. Raindrops was going to come with but she’s watching over her brother Snails,” Blossomforth pointed to each pony with a hoof before bringing it back under her.

“Does she not have cousins here?” I asked as I watched Cloudkicker hover in the air.

“She does but I’ve only met two of them,” Blossomforth shrugged. “What’s your name again?”

“Lavender Lace but my friends call me Lavender or just Lav. Only Sunset and Fuchsia call me Lav.”

“Yeah no she has no family with that name,” Blossomforth shook her head after a moment. “I take it you’re her cousin where you’re from?”

“I guess Twilight told you about the portal?” Octavia raised an eyebrow as we both eyed the pegasus laying on her side.

“She told us a little just as a warning,” Blossomforth admitted as she stood up and started stretching. She tucked a foreleg under one of her hindquarters and bent till the back of her head touched the base of her tail.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” I asked as I watched in awe. Our Blossomforth was just as flexible as her pony counterpart.

“Nah not really,” Blossomforth chuckled as she tucked a different leg under herself. “I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was a filly. This is second nature at this point. I like engineering too.”

“That’s cool,” I said as I picked up the water between me and Octavia with my magic.

“Look out!” White Lightning called out as we looked up and my eyes widened as Lightning Dust rocketed to us. I dropped the water and fell to my stomach along with Octavia as Lightning crashed into the tree branches above me and fell onto my back.

“Oof!” I grunted out and Sunset hid a smirk behind her hoof. “Please get off me.”

“You shouldn’t try to rush us until you learn how to stop,” Sassaflash chuckled as she and Sprinkle Medley pulled me out from under Lightning. “You got the tree pretty good. At least you ain’t at the Wonderbolt academy. Spitfire would have rode your flank hard for a spinout like that.”

“Spits is the Wonderbolt captain now?” Sunset asked in surprise.

“Yeah,” White Lightning commented as she tossed Sunset a curious look. “You know her?”

“She’s my sister,” Sunset chuckled as I faintly made out Rainbow and the others making surprised sounds. White Lightning and the others gave Sunset stunned looks.

“Now this is a story I have got to hear later,” Equestrian Cloudkicker said and smirked at Sunset. “Maybe later tonight at my place?”

“I have a girlfriend sorry,” Sunset chuckled as Cloudkicker laughed.

“Ah okay. Sorry,” Equestrian Cloudkicker said sheepishly.

“Ignore her,” Sprinkle Medley rolled her eyes. “She is obsessed with sex. She’s a freak.”

“Not what you said the one time we were in the weather factory locker room!”
Equestrian Cloudkicker shot back with a mischievous smirk.

“Shush,” Sprinkle muttered as she flapped her wings a few times. “If you’re okay, we have more flying exercises LD. Gotta say, you’re way better than you counterpart was.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Lightning barked as she rubbed her head. “Sorry by the way Lavender and Octavia. You too Blossomforth. Almost killed you three.”

“Conversation for a different day,” White Lightning said stiffly. “I need a shot if we’re going to be talking about that day.”

“It’s all good Lightning love,” Octavia waved a hoof as she sat back up. I tried to sit up and jumped slightly when I couldn’t, glancing back. I sighed contently as Blossomforth started working her hooves into my back.

“Your back sounded like it popped when she fell on you. You’re also pretty tense,” Blossomforth said sheepishly as she continued massaging me. “I can stop if you want.”

“N-no!” I exclaimed hastily. “I don’t really go to get massages often. You can keep going.”

Blossomforth nodded as she kept working her hooves as Octavia turned to keep watching Lightning. Our pegasus friend gritted her teeth and took off into the sky with White Lightning and Sassaflash next to her.

“What’s your cutie mark mean?” Blossomforth asked suddenly as she finished my message.

“Back home, I make all the fireworks for our magic shows. I’m assuming that’s what my mark means is that I’m good at making fireworks here too,” I explained as I sighed contently. I never knew how tense I was.

“Makes sense,” Blossomforth answered with a smile. “I’m good at making ponies happy.” She jabbed a hoof at her cutie mark. “Flowers make ponies happy.”

“Got that right!” Roseluck called out.

I rolled my eyes as we turned to watch Lightning crash land into the water and angrily spit a fish out. I made eye contact with Blossom and Octavia as we all started laughing.

Chapter Eight

Sunset

I trotted down the street slowly with Lavender as my fellow unicorn looked around Ponyville with wide eyes. I smirked as I bumped my flank against hers and she jumped.

“How do you like Equestria?” I asked curiously as we continued our walk.

“It’s amazing! I love it,” Lavender said with a smile. “It’s just peaceful here. The ponies are nice, it’s just nice here. Can’t think of any other way to put it.”

“Yeah it is isn’t it?” I asked wistfully. “Adagio and her sisters quickly settled back into society. Aria is hiding it well but she loves how different it is from a thousand years ago.”

“Don’t blame her,” Lavender admitted with a smile as she tapped her horn. “Felt weird at first but I like it.”

“I bet,” I chuckled as I brushed my mane out of my eyes. “Heard you are hanging out with Sea Swirl this week?”

“Yeah,” Lavender chuckled as she stared at a house in the distance with a for sale sign in the front yard. “Considering the fact I scared the hell out of her, she was super nice.”

I vaguely remembered her from school. She was nice but a bit weird. Obsessed with dolphins but nice. I think she even got her cutie mark of two dolphins swimming.

“Lavender?” I paused and looked back at her worriedly. She hadn’t moved from her spot as she kept staring at the house. “You okay back there?”

“Yeah!” Lavender said hastily and shook her head before she joined me. “Let’s just keep going, shall we?”

“Yeah let’s,” I said with a faint frown as she trotted ahead of her me and swished her tail back and forth happily with a big smile. This was probably the happiest I’ve ever seen her. She tossed her head back at me with her large smile still on her face as her ponytail whipped around.

“You comin or what?” She demanded eagerly as she galloped ahead to the castle. I think I even heard her laugh as she ran to the castle.

“Yeah I’m coming.”

I sat around the table of the restaurant Lemon Hearts had recommended as the yellow unicorn walked in with Twinkleshine and Sea Swirl. My worlds Amethyst, Lyra, Minuette, Moondancer and Twilight were already here.

“Hey Sunset!” Sea Swirl chirped happily as she plopped down with the two other mares. “We really got all old classmates together huh?”

“Damn right,” I chuckled as Twilight smiled.

“It’s really nice to have you all back reunited,” Twilight mused as she sipped her water. “I’m sorry I cut off contact with you and Amethyst after school Sea Swirl.”

“No biggie,” Sea Swirl shrugged as she lifted a menu in her magic. “I kinda lost contact with everypony except Amethyst. We hang out all the time, mainly because we’re neighbors and all.”

“You should see her house,” Amethyst said with a whistle. “It’s a nice house. Pool and everything!”

“What do you for a living now Sea Swirl?” Minuette asked as she folded her forelegs on the table.

“I make necklaces that I find when I’m diving for pearls,” Sea Swirl answered with a smile. “But I mainly work at Equestria World. I work with the dolphins.”

“Nice!” Minuette chirped and clapped her hooves. “We gotta come see you sometime. Part of an apology as kinda losing contact.”

“I’d love to have you guys come to show. Nothing to apologize for though,” Sea Swirl laughed as she looked at me. “What do you do Sunset?”

“Well I’m in high school still so I work part time at a candy store ran by a friend’s mom,” I answered with a shrug.

“What can I get for you all?” A pegasus stallion waiter asked us with a slightly forced smile. One by one we all ordered and I got some pasta.

“I’ll take your biggest bottle of wine!” Twinkleshine proclaimed with a smile.

“You got it miss,” he nodded and trotted as we all gazed at Twinkleshine in surprise.

“Wine Twinkle?” Moondancer demanded in surprise. “We almost never get alcohol at our get togethers.”

“It’s a special occasion!” Twinkleshine argued as the waiter brought the wine back and silently set it on the table. “We got all our classmates together, we should celebrate!”

“I’m down for some alcohol,” Lyra shrugged with a grin.

“Same here,” Minuette and Twilight said in unison as we all gave Twilight stunned looks.

“Since when did you drink Twilight?” I demanded in curiosity.

“It’s a thing to drink dealing with dignitaries from foreign countries,” she explained as she waved a hoof. “Princess things. We commonly drink at dinners with them.”

“Well it’s settled then!” Twinkleshine proclaimed with a warm smile as she poured us all glasses. “Do you want one Sea Swirl?”

“Sure I’ll take one,” Sea Swirl shrugged as Twinkleshine filled her glass and slid it tol her. “But just a few. Sassaflash is expecting me tonight. She gets worried when I’m not home past eleven.”

“To old friends!” Minuette giggled and levitated her glass to the middle of the table. We shrugged as we all followed her example.

“To old friends!” We all shouted with a laugh and I downed the wine after swirling the glass as a slightly sweet taste attacked my taste buds.

“That was pretty good,” Lemon Hearts laughed as she refilled her glass. “What brand is this?”

“Old Mares Pick,” Twinkleshine answered smugly as Twilight’s jaw dropped.

“That’s so expensive!” Twilight said as she glared at Twinkleshine. “I’m paying for it, no arguing. I’ve only had this once!”

“She’s made up her mind,” I chuckled as Twinkleshine looked like she was about to argue. “There’s no fighting with Twilight once she’s made up her mind.”

“Fair point,” Twinkleshine admitted as she poured myself and her another glass and I quickly downed it. “Dang Sunset. You don’t drink in the other world?”

“Not really,” I admitted as I poured another glass and took a smaller sip. “Don’t tell my mom about this either. Just because I’m technically the legal age here doesn’t mean she won’t hate it.”

“You got it,” Equestrian Lyra promised as she drank her own wine and smacked her lips. “Wow I need to buy some of this for the house.”

“So you know Lavender Lace, huh?” Sea Swirl asked me curiously as the others started talking.

“Yeah she’s from the human world,” I answered with a smirk. “I was teaching her teleportation. Heard she accidentally interrupted you mid dive a few days ago during the lesson.”

“So that’s what happened,” Sea Swirl snickered as she slowly sipped her alcohol.

“You guys remember when Lemon Hearts got her head stuck in a beaker?” Minuette laughed as she slammed a hoof on the table. We all burst out laughing as Lemon gave us a flat look.

“One time!” Lemon fumed as she narrowed her eyes and gave us an unamused look. “One time a decade ago! And I still haven’t lived it down!”

“Never will either!” Amethyst laughed as she wiped a tear away. “We all were in that class too! Dear Celestia, that was funny. Sea Swirl and I were partnered up that day too.”

“Yeah that was funny,” Moondancer admitted with a slight slur to her speech.

“You were reading the wrong book to even pay attention!” Lemon shot her an incredulous look. “How did you even see it?”

“I was not reading the whole time!” Moondancer retorted. “I can multi task!”

“Yeah yeah sure you can!” Lyra giggled and smirked.

“Sunset, wanna hit Berry’s Bar with us?” Minuette asked eagerly. “Twilight can join us too!”

“I can’t unfortunately,” Sea Swirl said sadly as our food arrived and she finished off her wine. “Sassaflash and I got plans tomorrow morning.” Everyone nodded understandingly as they looked at me hopefully. I shrugged and gave a smile as Lyra cheered.

“I’m down.”

The next few hours were a blur. I vaguely remember taking shots with Lyra and Minuette. Then drunk singing with Amethyst and Twinkleshine. And I also vaguely remember us all cheering a very drunk Moondancer and Lemon Hearts dancing on a stage.

I also remember the Equestrian Vinyl at a turn table in the corner of Berry’s Bar cheering us on and waving a hoof in the air as the other played music. Equestrian Berry Punch also gave me and the others free drinks for the night and was a super nice mare.

“See -hic- you all later!” I slurred out with a giggle as Twilight and I staggered down the road to the castle. Lyra and the others drunkenly waved as they walked home.

“Bye SunnyShim!” Minuette giggled as she waved her hooves and fell forward as a pony I vaguely identified as Equestrian Bon Bon groaned and carried her to her house.

I don’t remember getting inside the castle let alone next to Derpy as she snored softy.

“Goodnight Derpy.”

Chapter Nine

Roseluck

We all crowded around the statue as Sunset took a shot of some form alcohol in a loud bar next to Lemon Hearts and the pony Lyra.

“Drunk Sunset is the best Sunset!” Rainbow cheered as Sunset continued her drinking game with her two school friends. Thankfully Rarity and Applejack were both already asleep.

“Damn!” Cloudkicker whistled in awe as Sunset kept taking shots as Twinkleshine and Amethyst cheered her on. I never knew the drinking age is seventeen in Equestria. Sunset had made sure to reassure us of that fact.

“I never knew Sunset had such a good alcohol tolerance,” Lily muttered in shock as Twilight joined her in drinking from a bottle.

“She doesn’t,” Pinkie stated as we all glanced at her. “This is the first time she’s ever been drunk before remember?” I had forgotten Sunset had said that as well.

“I didn’t know Twilight drank either,” I muttered as very drunk Lemon Hearts and a equally very drunk Moondancer started dancing together on the bar as Sunset and the rest of her group cheered them on. Berry Punch laughed as she hastily moved some glasses out of the way as some stallions and mares alike threw golden coins at them. I had a feeling this wasn’t the first time someone danced on her bar.

“At least they are technically in a safe atmosphere,” Daisy pointed out and nodded to the Equestrian Bon Bon watching over them from a corner booth. “There’s the pony Bon Bon.”

“And based on what I know about our Bon Bon, she’s super responsible,” Fluttershy whispered shyly as Raindrops nodded. I faintly made out Equestrian Cloudkicker and Sprinkle Medley along with White Lightning with beers in a corner booth.

“Sunset is so going to be sick as hell in the morning,” Cloudchaser snorted as she fell back onto her pillow in the tent. “Never mind, looks like it’s going to be now.”

Sunset staggered over to a door with a mare on it and stumbled into a stall.

“Bleurgh!” Sunset groaned as she vomited into the toilet. I personally didn’t know ponies had toilets. I always assumed they found a bush or something like the ponies here do. Then again, our worlds ponies aren’t sentient like Sunset and the others are. “Fucking Celestia.”

“Thank god Principal Celestia wasn’t here to hear that,” I muttered as the others nodded their agreement. We had gotten her permission to stay up with our tent around the statue under the guise of Sunset tasking us to be on the look out for something coming through. Sunset staggered back out to her seat with Lyra and Twilight.

Twinkleshine and Lyra had stumbled off to the booth with Bon Bon smirking in the corner. Moondancer flicked her tail seductively as the stallions whistled as she kissed Lemon Hearts on the neck.

“I never thought in a million years I’d see my former teachers drunk kissing on a bar,” Our Twilight muttered as she pushed her glasses up. Sunset turned a bright shade of red as Moondancer bit Lemons neck and the yellow unicorn moaned as Sunset hastily looked away.

“I -hic- have to get home,” Sunset slurred as she stumbled up. “I got a wife at home.”

“Wife?” We all echoed in shock as we looked at each other.

“Girlfriend! Marefriend! Partner!” Sunset stammered out as she staggered for the door.

“Think it’s time we head home too,” Twilight agreed as she climbed to her hooves.

“See ya Twilight!” Berry called out as the rest of the group stumbled out the door. “Remember, don’t fly home! Flying drunk is illegal. Don’t get a DUI!” Bon Bon slammed her glass down and followed them out the door.

“See ya Berry!” Bon Bon called out.

“Bye Bon Bon!” Berry called back over the loud music as she polished some glasses off.

“I feel like my stomach is going to explode,” Minuette groaned as she stumbled down the street.

“Don’t worry!” Equestrian Lyra reassured her. “Our daughters are with Merry May. You call can come to my house. Well Twi Twi and Sunny has the castle.”

“Daughters?” Raindrops asked in confusion.

“We are so calling you Twi Twi now,” Rainbow tossed Twilight a mischievous grin.

“We are so not doing that,” Twilight grumbled as she folded her arms. Minuette stumbled forward and her eyes widened as Bon Bon caught her before she fell.

“Let’s get you home,” Bon Bon muttered as she nodded at Lyra and Twinkleshine, Moondancer and Lemon Hearts. “Have a good one Princess. You as well Sunset.”

“Bye Bonnie!” Sunset called out as she and Twilight stumbled into the castle. The two parted ways as Sunset staggered into her room and fell face forward into bed, rolling onto her side and kissing Derpys head. “Goodnight Derpy.”

“Wish I had a relationship like them,” I muttered under my breath. “Or well any relationship.”

“Don’t worry,” Raindrops patted me on the shoulder subtly. “Me too. Not many guys like me because I’m a grumpy stern bitch. Especially with my brother, Snails.”

“We should form a single girls club,” I whispered into her ear.

“Maybe!” Raindrops laughed as a blue mare pulled a wagon in front of Twilights castle. She groaned as she unhitched herself from it and trotted inside the building.

“Starlight!” The mare called out and we all froze at the familiar voice. “Trixie has arrived home!”

“That’s what Trixie looks like?” Blossomforth asked in shock as we all stared in stunned silence at the blue unicorn mare. She tossed the cape and hat onto a table in the library and levitated a blanket and a pillow on the the couch.

“Trixie should probably not have shouted that at two in the morning,” Trixie said sheepishly as she snuggled under the blanket. “I’m exhausted. I broke my freaking bed in the wagon.”

“Strange,” Daisy muttered. “This Trixie has no problem with speaking in first person whereas ours doesn’t.”

“Trixie sometimes does,” Pinkie admitted as she yawned. “Only in extreme circumstances.”

“Huh,” Lily mused. “Never saw that coming.”

“I’m going to bed,” I announced and slipped inside my sleeping bag. “Goodnight.” Daisy glanced back and me and nodded.

“Goodnight sis.”

Chapter Ten

Moondancer

I groaned and rolled over in the bed in Lyra’s spare bedroom. I cracked an eye open and immediately regretted it due to the sun coming in. Plus the pounding head ache. Both eyes shot open and I winced as I stared at the sleeping Lemon Hearts next to me.

“Gaaaah!” I screamed and flailed my hooves. Lemon Hearts woke up with a start and looked around before her eyes fell on me.

“Gaaaaah!” She screamed and pointed a hoof at me. “Why are you in my bed?”

“Why are you in my bed?” I shouted back as Lemon rubbed her bloodshot eyes.

“I have no idea!” Lemon shot back as we looked at each other terrified. “We didn’t do well you know?” She turned a faint shade of red.

“You mean engage in sexual intercourse?” I asked with a faint blush of my own.

“Y-yeah.”

“Well you do have a bite mark on your neck so,” I trailed off and scratched the back of my neck. “I don’t really remember much of last night.”

“Nor do I!” Lemon wailed as her eyes widened. “Oh no.”

“What?” I asked as she pressed a hoof over her mouth hastily and I grimaced. I quickly levitated a bucket from the bathroom over to her and she started vomiting into it. I gave her a disgusted look before I looked away.

“Thank you,” Lemon Hearts muttered as she wiped some vomit off her mouth and gave her hoof a disgusted look. “I need water.”

“I need to use the facilities,” I muttered as a overwhelming need to go to the bathroom. “One thing.”

“What?” Lemon asked as she reached for the bucket again.

“We are never speaking about last night again.”

“Agreed.”

“Is anypony going to tell us what the buck happened last night?” I asked as we laid around Twilight’s castle lazily in different positions.

“I don’t really remember much,” Sunset admitted as she crunched on a cookie. “I vaguely remember singing with someponies and then ending up in bed. Plus Derpy telling me I smelled like a mix of alcohol, sweat and vomit.”

“I can believe that,” Bon Bon snickered as she held Lyra’s hair in a hoof as the green unicorn vomited.

“Here,” Minuette said as she levitated a tooth brush along with toothpaste and a bucket to Sunset. “This should get rid of the alcohol smell plus vomit taste.”

“Thanks,” Sunset rolled her eyes as she ripped the plastic coating off the toothbrush and squirted some toothpaste on it and jammed it in her mouth. “And ash ah was saying, ah didn’t even get a kish or anything. No hug nothing because ah smelled like alcohol.” She spit the toothpaste into the bucket and swirled water around her mouth and added it to the bucket.

“I don’t freaking blame her,” Sea Swirl muttered. “Alcohol vomit mouth is disgusting. Almost as bad as when Sassy leaves her feathers in the shower drain.”

“So once again, who remembers last night?” I asked again as Bon Bon glanced over.

“I do,” Bon Bon answered with a shrug. “I was in the corner booth. Sunset, Amethyst and Twinkleshine somehow managed to screw up twinkle twinkle little star, you and Lemon Hearts got drunk and danced on the bar. Berry Punch got a lot of bits from your show. She also told me to tell you two if you ever wanted a professional stripper career, she’d put a stripper pole in her bar. Princess Twilight, Sunset and Lyra along with Twinkleshine and Amethyst started a drinking game that lasted three hours. Princess Twilight won by the way.”

“What the fuck?” Sunset said in surprise and slammed a hoof on the ground. “I thought I had that in the bag for sure!”

“Being an alicorn has it’s perks,” Twilight boasted with a grin. “Higher tolerance to well everything. And please Bon Bon, call me Twilight.”

“So me and Lemon didn’t engage in any sexual activities?” I asked and pushed my glasses up nervously.

“Oh no you two definitely fucked,” Lyra snickered as everyone stared at us. Lemon and I gave each other horrified looks as Sunset burst out laughing. “We heard everything in the next room. Mainly Lemon screaming as you two mashed filly bits together.”

“Bon Bon is that true?” Lemon asked with a green tint to her cheeks that matched mine as I resisted the urge to vomit. Mashing filly bits is a term I could have gone my entire life without knowing.

“She’s joking,” Bon Bon answered with a faint glare. “Moondancer bit your neck when you two danced on the bar. You two did make out at the bar though. I gave you two the spare bed because I figured you guys deserved better than the couch.”

“Hey!” Minuette exclaimed as Lemon and I sighed in relief. “I woke up comfortable at least. I woke up between Lyra and Bon Bon. It was like we were fillies again at a sleepover!”

“Pretty sure we never did that as fillies,” I said flatly.

“You may not have but I did with the others often,” Minuette shot back.

“You know who I wouldn’t mind seeing having sex,” Sunset said casually with a mischievous smirk. “Both Rarity’s. That’d be hot.”

“Celestia what sick depraved mind do you got?” Twilight muttered under her breath. Sunset laughed and winked at her.

“Only Derpy knows that part of me. She knows some other parts of me pretty well too,” Sunset wiggled her eyebrows as Minuette and Lyra started giggling.

“I could have gone my entire life without knowing that information,” Twinkleshine grumbled as she crushed a water bottle in her magic and tossed it in a trash can at the door.

“Three points!” Sunset shouted and waved her hooves in the air. “Do you have any pictures of last night Lyra?”

“You mean of Lemon and Moondancer fucking or of us getting drunk?” Lyra asked with a grin as I shot her a glare.

“Both,” Sunset answered with a grin of her own. “Gonna start a porn magazine company and those two are gonna star in it.”

“Like Tartarus you are!” I snapped as Sea Swirl and Amethyst snickered.

“Twilight and the rest of us are renting a cabin in the woods in a month,” Minuette laughed as she settled down next to he fiery maned unicorn. “Wanna come with? Sea Swirl and Amethyst are coming too. It’ll be like a class reunion again!” As annoyed as I was with the mare, I hoped Sunset said yes.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Sunset said with a shrug. “As long as I don’t get the room next to Lemon and Moondancer. Don’t want to listen to them going through the movements of the ocean.”

Everypony burst out laughing, Twilight included as Lemon and I glared at her.

Chapter Eleven

Sunset

I rolled onto my back as my tail tickled my legs and groaned. Hangovers are the worst and eating isn’t helping. For ponies, eating sugary foods helps us get rid of hang overs but the cookies we all ate didn’t work. Nor did the water.

“Still hungover?” Aunt Berry chuckled as she trotted with Derpy into the room with myself and Sea Swirl along with the others.

“How did you know?” I asked in fear. Hopefully she didn’t tell anyone.

“I drink for fun a lot,” Aunt Berry said dryly as she gave me a knowing look. “I know what a hangover looks like.”

“You didn’t tell anyone right?” I asked hopefully as Aunt Berry nodded and I sighed in relief.

“It’s technically legal age here but the only people who know is Derpy and myself,” Aunt Berry answered as she sat down next to me. Derpy wrapped a wing around me as she folded her forelegs under her

“What happened to you guys?” Earth Lyra asked as the rest of my friends entered the room. I groaned and waved a hoof around.

“Hangover,” Equestrian Lyra simply as she flipped onto her head. “Hey look, I’m gonna balance on my horn- woah!” She fell face first and crashed into Octavia and Lavender. “Woah you guys look weird upside down.”

“You’re gonna kill yourself one day in a stupid fashion and I won’t attend your funeral.” Twinkleshine gasped and glared at Moondancer.

“Moondancer!”

“You wound me you know that?” Equestrian asked in mock hurt as she placed a hoof over her heart. “At least I didn’t have sex with Lemon Hearts. Sex with friends is bad.”

“I did not have sex with Lemon Hearts!” Moondancer shouted as I burst out laughing. “I’d rather die than have sex with her.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Lemon Hearts demanded as she glared at Moondancer.

“Exactly as it sounds,” Moondancer answered with a hoof roll. “I wouldn’t have sex with you.”

“I don’t know if I should feel offended or not,” Lemon Hearts muttered under her breath as she ate a cookie in three crunches.

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman!” Vinyl called out as we all started laughing. Sea Swirl and the others from Equestria gave us all confused looks as I rolled onto my side laughing.

“Damn it Vinyl!” Earth Lyra laughed as she slammed a hoof on the ground.

“I don’t get it,” Twinkleshine raised an eyebrow as her eyes flicked to each of us.

“I’ll tell you later,” I said through my fits of laughing. I shakily stood to my hooves and kissed Derpy. “Aha! Finally got one back.”

“Now that you don’t smell like alcohol, vomit and sweat, I’m more than happy to kiss you,” Derpy commented with a smirk.

“I don’t feel well,” Earth Lyra muttered.

“Nor do I,” Bon Bon added as Starlight trotted in with Trixie. Octavia, Vinyl, Derpy and Earth Amethyst all chimed in with the same thing.

“Now that you mention it, nor do I,” I frowned slightly.

“You’re hungover,” Aunt Berry pointed out with a small smile. “It’s probably that.”

“It doesn’t feel like a hangover,” I admitted as I stood up. “It’s more like drained.”

“Probably the hangover,” Moondancer pushed her glasses up. “Never getting drunk again.”

“Famous last words,” Sea Swirl quipped with a grin. Moondancer folded up a nearby news paper in her magic and swatted at her with it. “Gah! No fair!”

We laughed as the newspaper followed Sea Swirl as she galloped around the room before she grabbed it with her magic and threw it in the trash can.

“No news papers for you!” Sea Swirl proclaimed as she held a hoof out. “All the news paper belong to me now!”

“We will see,” Moondancer scoffed and rolled her eyes as she adjusted her sweater.

“How on earth can you wear that love?” Octavia asked as she tugged at Moondancers sweater with a distasteful look. “It’s itchy and falling apart!”

“It is not falling apart!” Moondancer retorted as she pushed Octavias hoof away. “It’s hoofmade and well loved! Not falling apart!”

“Uh huh,” Octavia said flatly as she rolled her eyes. “If you say so.”

“I do say so! I made it myself and I’m not about to get rid of it!” Moondancer said adamantly. “I’d like to see you try and take if off of me.” Lightning tensed up and her wings flared out a bit as I placed a restraining hoof on her chest.

“Woah woah woah,” Sea Swirl and Minuette hastily placed their hooves between the two. “Nopony is taking the sweater, Moon. She’s just giving her opinion.”

“Relax everypony,” Equestrian Minuette said nervously as she eyed the two. “Let’s calm down. The cold wars over.”

“You have nuclear weapons here too?” Earth Lyra asked cautiously as she allowed the tension to leave her body and she stood normally.

“No the buck?” Moondancer asked in confusion as she stepped away from Octavia. “The cold war describes the conflict between the pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies that caused the windigos to cover the land in a snowy wasteland.”

“It was really cold!” Minuette chimed in from her place next to Sea Swirl. “Brrr!”

“Please that’s just an old foals tale,” Starlight scoffed and waved a hoof. “I don’t really believe in it.”

“Really?” Spike asked worriedly as he hugged Twilight’s leg. “They sure seem real to me because there’s one right behind you!” Starlight spun around with Trixie and they stared at the windigo floating behind them.

“Everypony run!” Minuette screamed with a giggle and galloped out the room, dragging a protesting Starlight behind her. Equestrian Amethyst blew her off horn as the illusion disappeared as we all started laughing as she gave us a smug smile.

“Nice one,” I snickered as we hoofbumped. “Think she will believe in them now Twi Twi?”

“Heck if I know. One can only hope.”

“Alright I’m going to bed,” Lavender stated as she yawned. “We still on to hang out tomorrow Sea Swirl?” The lilac unicorn beamed and nodded.

“You bet!”

I teleported Derpy and myself to our room with the door locked.

“So,” I drew the word out with a smirk as I traced a hoof on her wing. “Still want me to apologize for making you go to bed alone last night?”

Derpy slowly nodded as I shut the light off.

Author's Note

I'm five seconds away from having a fist fight at work tomorrow. People annoy me.

Chapter Twelve

Lavender

I happily trotted down the street with Sea Swirl following at a more reserved pace, my tail swishing back and forth as I stopped at Applejacks apple stand and reared up to place my hooves on it.

“Hello Applejack!” I said and smiled widely at her.

“Howdy Lavender!” Applejack nodded at me as she tipped her hat. “How are ya?”

“Great!” I exclaimed as Sea Swirl trotted up to me.

“Two apples please,” Sea Swirl smiled and plopped some bits down. “Gala and a golden delicious.”

“I can pay!” I hastily said as Applejack and Sea Swirl both gave me flat looks.

“Uh huh,” Sea Swirl said flatly. “And with what bits?”

“Hang on Junebug,” Applejack said suddenly and I glanced back at a orange earth pony mare tapping a hoof. “Ah promise ah’ll get to ya.”

“I uh fuck,” I muttered under my breath. “Okay you got me. Besides even if I did have my money, I don’t think you take dollars.”

“What’s a dollar?” Applejack asked curiously as a frustrated noise came behind me.

“It’s the currency back on earth,” I explained to the two mares. “It’s paper.”

“You don’t use coins back home?” Sea Swirl asked curiously.

“Well we do,” I admitted as I glanced at her. “Pennies, dimes, quarters and nickels but we mainly use bills. One dollar bills, fives, tens, twenties and up. You get the point.” The mare named Junebug behind me threw her hooves angrily in the air and stomped off.

“I have more sights to show you!” Sea Swirl said eagerly as she suddenly pulled me along in her magic as a purple glow surrounded me. “Bye Applejack! Thanks for the apples!”

“Bye!” Applejack waved back as we disappeared down the street.

“What was that about?” I demanded as she finally let me go.

“Ponies get mad if you hold up the line,” Sea Swirl explained as she munched on her apple. “Especially at Applejacks stand. Junebug doesn’t get mad often so she probably had a bad day. Most likely somepony made fun of her.”

“Oh. Why would someone do that?” I asked curiously.

“Junebug has a stutter,” Sea Swirl said simply as we stopped and sat down on a nearby bench. I bit into my apple and sighed contently and tossed a look back at a house on a hill.

“Thanks for the apple,” I said sheepishly. “I’ll pay you back. Somehow.”

“Don’t bother,” Sea Swirl smiled as she tossed her core into a trash can. “What are friends for?”

“True,” I said simply as I sighed. Sea Swirl followed my gaze and her eyes fell on the house.

“Let’s go check it out. I could always use another household to store my pearls I collect from diving,” Sea Swirl shrugged as she stood up.

“Okay!”

We stepped inside the house and I looked around. Apparently ponies were super trusting and just allowed open houses whenever.

“Wow nice living room,” I commented as I looked around in awe. There was wooden trim going around and a wooden paneling over the top of one wall with a fireplace.

“Dang!” Sea Swirl whistled as she trotted into through the dining room into the kitchen. “Nice kitchen. I really like the island.”

“Me too,” I agreed as I peeked in. “I’d match the white top on the island to the granite of the countertops though.”

“Oh absolutely.”

We slowly worked our way to the bedroom and looked around. It was a large light purple room with a large bed along with a bathroom behind the closed door on the wall to the left of the bed.

“Pretty big bathroom,” Sea Swirl commented as she closed the door with her magic. “Nice big shower. Sassaflash and I could have some fun in there.”

“Lord have mercy,” I muttered under my breath.

“Joking sorry,” Sea Swirl muttered as her ears flattered against her head. “I screwed that up, didn’t I?”

“No!” I exclaimed and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Not at all! I just wasn’t expecting that out of nowhere. Clearly you spent too much time with Lyra.”

“More like I spend too much time around my marefriend,” Sea Swirl admitted with a smile as she traced a hoof on the wall. “How’s Sunset and the others?”

“Tired,” I frowned a bit. We had been a bit worried about Sunset, Derpy and the others. Ironically, only the ones who had partners were feeling drained as Sunset put it. “They’re just sleeping. We’re leaving for Starlights village tonight. Apparently Sunset and the sick ones are staying along with our worlds Amethyst. Octavia is going with Starlight and myself to the village. I think Sunsets aunts and Dinky are going too.”

“I’d come with myself but I got work unfortunately,” Sea Swirl said and sighed. “Plus Sassy can’t come because she has weather duty and wonderbolt reservist things to do.”

“Makes sense,” I sighed as we trotted out of the house and closed the door behind us. “My teleportation is getting better. Wanna see me teleport us to the castle?”

“You know it!” Sea Swirl laughed as she gave me an encouraging nod. I closed my eyes and envisioned the castle and my horn flashed.

“Hey guys!” I said happily swishing my tail as I took in my friends stunned looks. Sea Swirl stumbled forward and I caught her.

“Wow that was impressive!” Sunset gave me a smile as she and Derpy stared at me. “You’ve really come far with magic. Color me impressed Lavender. You got a knack for this.”

“Thanks,” I smirked and kicked a hoof on the ground with a blush. “Are you sure you want to stay behind?”

“Yeah unfortunately,” Sunset frowned slightly. “I’m gonna keep an eye on Derpy and the others. Plus I’m sick too. Most likely the pony flu. I heard from this worlds Minuette some fillies had caught it along with Equestrian Scootaloo.”

“Okay,” I sighed and turned to look at Sea Swirl. “I’ll be back soon friend.”

“I know!” Sea Swirl reared up and hugged me. I quickly hugged her back and sighed as her mane tickled my neck.

“Hurry up Lavender!” Lightning called out from downstairs. “Trixie is getting impatient!”

“Coming!” I called back. “See you soon Sea Swirl. You too Sunset and Derpy.”

“Have fun,” Derpy smiled and yawned. Sea Swirl gave a wave as her horn flashed and she disappeared.

With a faint smile, I turned around left Sunset and Derpys room, closing the door behins me. I walked down the stairs to where the others waited impatiently. I couldn’t help but feel I was forgetting something.

Chapter Thirteen

Roseluck

“Well there it is,” Trixie said casually as she and the others stared down at a small village that oddly resembled an equal sign. Which reminds me I have math homework to do. “The place you-”

“The place where I magically stole their cutie marks, forced them to live against their will after I stole a part of them and was a evil mare?” Starlight asked as she jumped back and forth on her front hooves as we watched in stunned silence.

“I was going to say where you lived,” Trixie said flatly as Dinky and Silver Spoon rolled down the hill.

“How do you even steal a cutie mark?” I wondered aloud. “It’s like tattoo. It’s stuck on them.”

“Ah don’t know,” Applejack admitted as she bit into an apple. “Ah know Sunset mentioned that Starlight mare took hers when they first met.”

“Wait up!” Ruby shouted as she ran after Dinky and Silver Spoon.

“I hope Sunset and the others are okay. They seemed pretty well out of it,” Sweetie Drops mused as they walked into the village where a pegasus was hanging up decorations. A female unicorn with a cupcake cutie mark levitated trays of cupcakes to a nearby table.

“They will be fine love,” Octavia reassured her and placed a hoof on her back. Octavia had forced herself to come with and was oddly feeling better. “Twilight is there along with the other elements and Sunset. They’re a very capable group.”

“I know,” Sweetie Drops sighed as she looked at the shorter mare. “So is Bon Bon and Lyra.”

“Starlight!” A white earth pony called out. “You came!”

“I could make a dirty joke with that but I won’t,” Rainbow muttered under her breath as Cloudkicker laughed. Rarity and Applejack glared at the two before smacking the two upside their head.

“Ow!” They grumbled in unison as Blossomforth and Raindrops snickered.

“Can you help us set up decorations?” One pony asked as four of them surrounded Starlight and Trixie.

“How should we set up for the festival?”

Starlights eyes flicked back and forth as Trixie watched worriedly.

“Well?” The unicron mare asked. “Can you be a judge for the baking competition?”

“She’s Sunsetting,” Octavia muttered as she tried to push the ponies back.

“Starlighting?” Lightning offered with a smirk.

“No!” Starlight screamed and her horn flashed as everyone went flying into buildings, rubbing their heads.

“And now, the Great and Powerful Trixie will show off her most famous act,” Trixie shouted worriedly. “A disappearing act! A classic!” She threw down a small ball as a bunch of smoke filled the town and Trixie galloped off with the others as Trixie hid Starlight under her cloak, casting a worried look behind her.

“I’m sorry,” Starlight muttered as Trixie approached her wagon. “You guys were looking forward to this.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Berry Punch said with as Trixie levitated the fillies into the wagon and shut the door. “They were being a bit much.”

“If you tell anypony this, I’ll completely deny it,” Trixie said as she started pulling her wagon. “But even Trixie’s made mistakes. She is pretty great but she isn’t perfect.”

“Never expected Trixie of all people to say that,” Cloudchaser said under her breath.

“Well this is the Equestrian Trixie not our Trixie,” Flitter pointed out. “We don’t know much about our Trixie except she has an ego.”

“She’s a decent person,” Rarity admitted as she stretched. “I think I’m going to go to sleep. They have a long ways back to Ponyville I think.”

I nodded as we watched them walking down the trail.

“Hey Rarity,” Starlight said as she trotted up to the pony Rarity and Fluttershy. “Is Twilight here? I wanted to talk to her about the village. I kinda had a freak out. I was trying to keep my fears under wraps so I didn’t ruin Sunsets visit with her family and friends but I think I did it anyway. I also kinda ran away.”

“What were the decorations terrifying?” Pony Rarity asked as she and Fluttershy burst out laughing.

“That doesn’t seem normal for them,” Lily muttered as we watched nervously.

“Wait wait!” Pony Fluttershy giggled as she waved a hoof. “You ran away from a baking competition? How lame are you?”

“Are you two okay?” Starlight asked in confusion as she stepped back. “You guys are acting kinda weird.”

“Never better darling!” Pony Rarity exclaimed as her eyes flicked between Starlight and Trixie. The pony Rainbow flew up to her and whispered in her ear as Starlight tilted her head. “We must be going now.”

“Yeah. Important element business,” Equestrian Rainbow scoffed as the three started walking away. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“Wasn’t that weird?” Starlight asked Trixie as we watched them disappear.

“Seemed normal to me. Your friends are pretty weird on a daily basis,” Trixie said as she waved a hoof. “Probably woke up on the wrong side of their beds. Or Twilight had another freakout.”

“I guess,” Starlight muttered. “We should find the others.” Lavender trotted up to Sunset and Derpy with confused expressions as she looked to Lightning with a raised eyebrow.

“You guys are feeling better?” Lavender asked curiously.

“Oh uh yeah!” Derpy said hastily as she grimaced before placing a wing on Sunsets back. “Never better. Why do you ask?”

“Because you were sick before we left,” Octavia pointed out. “I was too before I left town. Think it might have been the air of the village cleared my sinuses. Highly recommended loves.”

“We will keep that in mind,” Sunset said as she shoved Derpys wing off her. “Don’t touch me. I don’t like being touched.”

“Where’s Adagio, Aria and Sonata?” Berry Punch asked as she narrowed her eyes slightly. The three had stayed behind so Adagio could get more time with Twilight apparently.

“Back at the castle,” Sunset shrugged. “Which we really must be getting back. We have important business to take care of. Surely you understand.”

“Oh yeah we understand all right,” Cheerilee muttered under her breath. “Understand you guys are acting weird.”

We watched as Sunset and Derpy trotted off, arguing and throwing suspicious looks around them.

Chapter Fourteen

Roseluck

I rolled over in my sleep, sighing peacefully. That was till I was shaken awake and I slowly opened my eyed and stared up at my sister Daisy’s worried face.

“Roseluck wake up,” Daisy said urgently. “Blossomforth you too. The others already awake except Rainbow.” The rainbow haired girl was snoring on her pillow with a line of drool working it’s way out of her mouth.

“This is going to be so funny to show her later on!” Flitter giggled as she and Cloudchaser recorded their soccer captain snoring.

“Wake up Dash damnit!” Applejack shouted as Rainbow shot up.

“I’m up I’m up!” Rainbow exclaimed as she rubbed her eyes.

“We got woken up by Starlight freaking out about they’re back or a something,” Sweetie Belle said as she hugged Rarity.

“Trixie wake up!” Starlight hissed as she pounded on the wagon door.

“Yes Princess Celestia,” Trixie muttered. “I’d love to perform for peanut butter crackers.” Starlight recoiled and gave the wagon and concerned look before shaking her head and pounding on the door.

“Guess Trixies secret love is common in both worlds!” Blossomforth giggled as we all laughed.

“Trixie this is serious!” Starlight snapped as a bunch of fireworks went off and Trixie opened the wagon window and coughing.

“What in Celestia’s name do you think you’re doing at this hour?” Trixie demanded as she rubbed her eyes.

“There’s something wrong with Twilight and the others!” Starlight explained quietly as she looked around nervously.

“There’s a lot that’s wrong with your friends,” Trixie muttered as she closed the window. “I’d be more than happy to give you the whole list tomorrow morning at a more reasonable hour.”

“Trixie get out here!” Starlight snapped as she levitated Trixie out and in front of her. “I think Twilight and the others were-” she paused and gave Trixie a suspicious look. “What did you tell me to never tell anypony ever?”

“Where is she going with this?” Apple Bloom wondered aloud as we all watched with growing worry.

“Starlight? Did you seriously wake me up to play guessing games?” Trixie demanded angrily.

“Just tell me!” Starlight snapped back.

“Even Trixies made mistakes,” Trixie grumbled out and I barely made out the ending.

“Be serious Trixie!” Starlight said nervously.

“Even Trixie’s made mistakes!” Trixie shouted as we all shivered at her furious expression. “There? Are you happy!?”

“Yes,” Starlight sighed and hugged her. “I think Twilight and the others have been replaced by changelings!”

“Are you certain?” Trixie asked worriedly as she glanced at the castle.

“What is going on out here?” Berry Punch asked and the two mares whirled around. Everyone except Sunset and the ones who stayed behind were with them.

“How can we trust you?” Starlight asked with an edge in her tone as her horn glowed.

“Uh what?” Cheerilee asked nervously. “We were with you. In the village. Where Trixie said even she’s made mistakes.” Starlight sighed in relief and her horns glow disappeared.

“Follow me,” Starlight gestured with a hoof. “But stay quiet.” We watched as they snuck into the castle, Trixie looking around nervously as they approached the throne room and peeked through. Sunset shoved Derpy into the ground as Amethyst and Lyra pointed hooves and laughed.

Bon Bon sat next to Vinyl and watched coldly as Fluttershy slammed Spikes head against the throne and Rarity laughed.

“Whoa!” Rainbow whispered in awe as Applejack threw a apple onto the throne next to her. “Rarity has an awesome evil laugh!”

“Something is wrong,” I said and shook my head. “Sunset would never hurt Derpy. She loves her.”

“Is it ready?” Twilight asked as she approached Applejack.

“Just one more,” Applejack said coldly as she placed a black rock on the table with the hours as Cherry Berry’s eyes went wide. The rocks combined and a black mare was staring at Twilight and the others.

“Quit looking like that!” The mare demanded. “You know I can’t stand when you all look like that!”

“Oh right,” Twilight said as she rolled her eyes. Green flames erupted around her, Sunset, Derpy and the others as we all gasped at the black creatures with pointed horns and holes in their bodies.

“W-what is that?” Blossomforth stammered in fear as she hugged Cloudkicker. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom hid behind their sisters and peeked out.

“Queen Chrysalis!” Starlight whispered in fear.

“Statues report!” Chrysalis snapped angrily as the changeling who had been impersonating Twilight stepped forward.

“We’ve replaced the ponies in the castle and their pet dragon,” the changeling answered and we shivered at his voice. Sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. “There’s nochangeling who can stand in our way now.”

“We thought too small last time!” Chrysalis announced as Cheerilee and Berry exchanged nervous looks. “One ponynapped princess wasn’t enough! With all of the beloved ponies of Equestria and the princesses of Canterlot replaced, Equestria is ours!” The rocks fell apart and the door creaked. The changelings heads whipped to the door and they hissed before Twilight and the others stood in the library.

“Shh!” Starlight whispered as she covered Silver Spoons mouth before she could scream as the changelings trotted out into the hallway and spilt up. Twilight paused and started sniffing the air, pausing front of Starlight as Ruby’s eyes widened nervously. Twilight shrugged and trotted off into the hallway Fluttershy had followed Spike.

Starlight teleported them all outside and canceled what we assumed was a invisibility spell. Trixie fell on her stomach and started panting as Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara hugged each other.

“This is bad!” Lavender trotted back and worriedly. “This is really bad! Not only did the Princesses get kidnapped, our friends are kidnapped.”

“This is Princess level stuff! We aren’t prepared for something like this!” Trixie exclaimed worriedly.

“There are no Princesses, Trixie!” Starlight shot back.

“Where is my daughter?” Sweetie Drops demanded angrily as she pinned Starlight to the ground.

“I don’t know!” Starlight snapped worriedly as she gently shoved Bon Bons mom off her. “We can get to the Crystal Empire, contact Princess Cadence. They only said Canterlot and obviously Twilight have been replaced. They never said Cadence!”

“There’s no help coming from the Crystal Empire,” a voice from the bushes said as a changeling appeared and Lavender spun around with Lightning and Octavia as Lavenders horn glowed.

“Wait!” Starlight said hastily as a bubble surrounded Trixie and she started pounding her hooves against it as she screamed quietly. “Don’t hurt him! Thorax, is that you?”

“You know that bug?” Lightning asked in shock as she glared at him.

“It’s me,” Thorax sighed. “You helped Spike get me accepted by the rest of the princesses even though they could have banished you. You were the main advocate for me to be allowed to live in the Crystal Empire even though I was a changeling.”

“We should help!” Rainbow shouted as she lunged for the portal. Applejack grabbed her collar and pulled her back.

“Woah nelly!” Applejack grunted as she pinned Rainbow down to my confusion. “We can’t. If we do, we could alert the changelings to the mirror. Then they could come here. It’s what Sunset would do. She would demand we don’t come try to save her. She would tell us to leave her behind to keep our world safe. Ah don’t like it either Dash.”

“You’re right,” Rainbow sighed as she hugged a evidently terrified Fluttershy. Hell, I was terrified. Derpy was one of my best friends.

“Trixie, this is Thorax,” Starlight said as the bubble evaporated. “He’s a reformed changeling. He’s on our side.”

“Hi there. Nice to meet you!” Thorax said and held out a hoof.

“If Starlight says you’re good, then I believe her. Just stay over there please.”

“What the hell is a changeling?” Berry Punch demanded as she looked at the castle. “Where is Sunset?”

“And my sisters!” Dinky shouted and pulled on Starlights hoof.

“And Adagio, Aria, Sonata and Vinyl,” Octavia added worriedly.

“I don’t know. A changeling feeds on love. It drains a creature of their love,” Starlight explained as she gazed at Thorax. “Your wings are different.”

“Sunset said she was feeling drained,” Minuette muttered under her breath. “We should have stayed behind. Maybe she wouldn’t be kidnapped.”

“And if you stayed, you’d be replaced as well,” Starlight retorted as she hesitantly pressed a hoof on her shoulder. “There’s nothing you could have done. You can’t stay at the castle. It’s not safe. Go to Lyra and Bon Bons. Take the fillies.”

“Where’s Twilight and the girls at?” A ugly stick looking thing appeared on an apple eating a rock.

“What the fuck are you supposed to be?” Lightning asked flatly as she raised an eyebrow. Rarity glared at the portal and hastily covered Sweeties ears.

“He’s Discord. He’s the lord of chaos. He’s a Draconequus,” Starlight explained as she gazed at him. “Listen, Twilight and the others have been- wait. How can we believe you’re truly Discord?” He gave her a flat look and snapped his fingers as Lightning turned into a mouse and Lavender merged with Octavia.

“I think we believe you,” Trixie grumbled under her breath. Satisfied, Discord snapped his fingers and Lightning turned back into a pegasus as Octavia separated from Lavender.

“Never doing that again!” Lavender shivered as Lightning patted her body frantically.

“The changelings are back. They took Twilight, Rainbow Fluttershy and the others!” Starlight exclaimed worriedly.

“They took Fluttershy?” Discord demanded as he glared at Starlight.

“Yes!” Starlight exclaimed as Discord snapped his fingers and they stood on a hill in the desert surrounded by dead plants.

“I hope they get Derpy and the others back,” I muttered as the ponies started arguing with Discord. Lily, Daisy and Raindrops hugged me as we all watched in fear.

“Me too sis. Me too.”

Author's Note

I figured Sunset would have told them to leave her behind. Seems like her to me.

Chapter Fifteen

Cheerilee

I stared at the large black structure in the distance, jutting into the sky with fear. It was probably the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. And my daughter was somewhere in there.

“Discord? Why is Sunset’s family here along with Dinky and Bon Bons mom?” Starlight asked with a raised eyebrow. “This isn’t the place for fillies!”

“Accident,” he waved a hand. “I should probably send them back before we go into the castle looking thing like it’s a Mario Level.”

“What in Equestria is Mario?” Trixie demanded as she glared at him.

“Nothing. Another time,” Discord scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Uncultured mare.”

“Excuse me?” Trixie screamed and turned angry red as she gave him a furious look. Starlight quickly placed a restraining hoof on Trixie and groaned.

“We’re staying,” Berry Punch said as she glared at Starlight. “I’m not a fan of leaving my niece in there.”

“Nor am I!” Cherry Berry snapped as Minuette voiced her agreement.

“Me neither,” I said and shook my head angrily. “We are coming with. End of the discussion.”

“And me!” Sweetie Drops chimed in. “I am not leaving my daughter back there.”

“My sister is in there,” Silver Spoon said and stepped forward till she jabbed a hoof into Starlights chest. “I don’t know you. I know Sunset. And I know she would do the exact same for me if our positions were swapped. I love my sister and I’m coming.” Ruby nodded and jumped off Berry’s back to join Silver.

“All of us are,” Scootaloo snapped and join Silver with Diamond next to her.

“No,” Starlight sighed and shook her head. “It’s not safe. Sunset would kill me if anything to any of you.”

“You better get Bon Bon and the others back,” Sweetie Drops said and glared at her. “Or God help me.”

“We will do everything we can to get them all,” Starlight promised. “I promise you that.”

“What do we do now?” Octavia asked worriedly as she trotted back and forth.

“We save the world, duh!” Lightning exclaimed as she held a hoof out. “We get our friends back, we get the princesses freed and save the day! Like we always do!”

“I’m in!” Lavender shouted as she placed a hoof of her own ontop of Lightnings and the two looked back at Octavia. “Well?” Octavia hesitated before placing a hoof herself.

“Let’s go Nerd Herd!” The three shouted as Starlight rolled her eyes.

“Are you going to get my sisters back?” Dinky asked nervously as she tugged on Starlights foreleg. Starlight smiled warmly and looked down at the filly.

“We’re gonna do everything we can for Amethyst and Derpy. You have my word,” Starlight promised as she rubbed Dinkys hair. “Now go before you put me into a coma from your adorableness.”

Starlight nodded at Discord as Trixie and Lightning slid down the dirt and he snapped his fingers.

We tumbled into presumably Bon Bon and Lyra’s living room. Sea Swirl, Equestrian Berry, Equestrian Ruby, Scootaloo and Liza, Twinkleshine, Amethyst along with Lemon Hearts, Moondancer, Equestrian Minuette, Lyra and Bon Bon gave us confused looks as I groaned.

“Uh can we help you?” Bon Bon asked curiously as I staggered to my hooves.

“Are you really you?” Cherry asked suspiciously as earth Minuette moaned and climbed off of Berry.

“What does that mean?” Twinkleshine demanded as Ruby bounced up to her.

“Something called a changeling is back!” Ruby chirped. “They’ve taken the Princesses captive along with Sunset, our worlds Bon Bon, Lyra, Derpy, Amethyst and Vinyl along with Spike!”

“What?” Bon Bon stood up as Lyra, Equestrian Minuette and Twinkleshine looked afraid. “All of the princesses?”

“Yeah,” Silver Spoon sighed as she sat on my lap.

“Lyra get the briefcase,” Bon Bon said coolly. Lyra sat still as she, Twinkleshine and Minuette hugged each other nervously. “Lyra! I know you and other two have bad memories after the wedding but I need you to get the briefcase.”

“Right,” Lyra shivered and jumped to her hooves. “Briefcase.”

“Liza, Ruby, Scootaloo go to your rooms please,” Bon Bon instructed sternly. “Take Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Scoots, the other Ruby and Dinky with you. The grown ups have to talk.”

“I’ll go with,” Equestrian Berry said instantly and stood up.

“Like hell you are,” Earth Berry said coldly as she glared at her counterpart. It was a bit hard to tell them apart. They oddly had the exact same cutie marks, everything. “You could be one of them. There’s no way in hell am I letting you around my daughter and nieces.”

“I’m definitely not one of them but you can certainly come with.” The two trotted up the stairs and gave each other distrusting looks as Lyra returned with a briefcase.

“Thanks,” Bon Bon said as she pressed her hoof ontop of the briefcase and turned it. It popped open and we all looked in surprise at the grappling hook and other tools. “Thank you Agent Heartstrings.”

“What the buck is going on?” Moondancer demanded as she patted Twinkleshine on the back. “Agent Heartstrings?”

“What is about to be said will never leave this room or you can be arrested for treason,” Bon Bon warned us all as we nervously nodded. “My name isn’t Bon Bon. It’s Sweetie Drops. Bon Bon is a codename. I’m a SMILE agent. Outside of Princess Celestia and Luna, only Sunset and Lyra knows my true identity.”

“What?” Sea Swirl demanded as she gazed at them.

“Remember the bug bear?” Lyra asked as she and Bon Bon put sunglasses on. Sea Swirl and the others looked at each other before nodding slowly.

“The bug bear was the last mission I went one. It was also my first. I captured it but I caught my scent and shortly broke out of Tartarus. When it attacked Ponyville, it’s because it tracked me. Lyra found out that day my true identity,” Bon Bon explained as she pulled on the rope.

“That was two years ago!” Equestrian Minuette snapped as she stared at the two. “You’ve been holding out on us!”

“Sorry,” Lyra commented quietly. “I had to keep Bon Bon safe. Our daughters don’t even know. I joined shortly after the agency reopened when two agents asking for Bon Bon showed up on my doorstep.”

“Wait!” Sea Swirl waved her hooves nervously. “Where’s Lavender?”

“With Trixie, Starlight, Discord, Thorax, Lightning and Octavia. They’re in the changeling kingdom right now,” Cherry Berry said helpfully as we hugged each other. “Wait where are you two going?”

“To get the mirror,” Bon Bon answered as she and Lyra headed for the door. “It’s not safe in the castle with the changelings. If anypony from the elements or somepony who isn’t us comes to the door, get to the cellar. And make sure it's actually us. Twinkleshine will show you where it is.”

We watched Bon Bon and Lyra slip out the door, closing it quietly as they snuck up the street.

Chapter Seventeen

Roseluck

I yawned and stretched slightly as Lightning followed Starlight and the others quietly through the changeling castle or whatever it was called. Cloudkicker was intently watching Lavender looked back and forth as her tail swished. It was about three am but we kind of all agreed to watch till the end.

“I’m not sure how I feel about my cousin going in there,” Cloudkicker muttered as she and Blossomforth hugged. “The way Sunset talked about Equestria was usually sunny and happy. This doesn’t seem very happy.”

“I don’t have to listen to a second rate magician. I have a Fluttershy to save!” Discord shouted as his voice echoed through the castle. Trixie and Discord quit arguing as she gave him a dirty look.

“Hey dick head!” Lightning hissed angrily as she gave him a flat look. “Next time, why don’t you just wear a bright flashing sign that’s says here we are next time, ya fucking cunt?” Starlight and Fluttershy let out squeaks as Fluttershy covered her mouth.

“While I wouldn’t use the language, I agree with her,” Rarity scoffed as she folded her arms.

“Why is the portal still showing us what is happening?” Raindrops wondered as she bit into her sandwich. “Sunset was kidnapped. Shouldn’t the spell have stopped?”

“I’m guessing the magic of the portal is keeping it going,” Rainbow reasoned as she ate a fry. “Still can’t believe we’re doing nothing to help.”

“We all do darling,” Rarity sighed and squeezed her shoulder.

“Applejack was right. It’s what Sunset would want,” Daisy sighed and traced a finger on her dress hem. “She’s a better person than me. I’d want to be saved by all my friends.”

“I got it!” Twilight shouted as we jumped. “When Sunset cast her spell, she most likely changed the property of the statues magical makeup and changed it to show us what was happening even when she wasn’t actively influencing it.” We all gave her confused looks.

“Yeah we’re just going with what I said because it used smaller words,” Rainbow said after a second of blinking and we all laughed as Twilight pouted. “Moving on.”

“What if we can see what we want?” Cloudchaser muttered. “Like we say a name.”

“Sunset!” Fluttershy said instantly as the portal shifted to presumably a different
part of the castle and we all stared in stunned silence at two changelings carrying Sunset wrapped up in some cocoon. Derpy, Lyra, Bon Bon along with the others and the princesses hung from the ceiling in similar cocoons with their eyes closed. “She’s alive, that’s good.” Sunset’s eyes flicked back and forth as she blinked.

“Derpy,” Lily whispered nervously as one of the changelings dropped one edge of Sunset’s makeshift prison onto the ground and it cracked.

“Careful!” One of the changelings hissed as the rest of them watched. Queen Chrysalis had her back to them as she bossed some other changelings around. “Chrysalis already killed two drones for messing up. I want a long life!”

“Sorry!” The changeling said sheepishly as Sunset kicked the green shell off her and we watched in surprise.

“Hello there,” Sunset said coldly as she knocked the two changelings off their hooves with her foreleg. “Hey you!”

“How?” Chrysalis demanded as she spun around, glaring at the changelings laying on their backs. “Who exactly are you?”

“I am Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset proclaimed as she shakily climbed to her hooves. “Daughter of Hearths Warming and Cheerilee, sister of Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Scootaloo and element of harmony. My real question is who the fuck are you?”

“I am Queen Chrysalis,” Chrysalis announced. “Leader of the changelings.”

“You’re uglier up close,” Sunset commented as she approached Chrysalis and the changelings hissed. “And you messed with the wrong bitch.”

“No!” Chrysalis shouted and glared at them. “I will deal with this myself!”

“Beat her ass Sunset!” Flitter called out as the two slowly circled each other, looking for an opening to attack the other. We had quickly decided that they couldn’t hear us anymore. Most likely due to the spell malfunctioning or something if that could even work.

“You should really negotiate a surrender,” Chrysalis said coldly as Sunset examined her.

“Does she even know who she’s talking to?” Cloudkicker scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Sunset doesn’t seem like the negotiating type. Especially with how mad she seems right now.”

“You kidnapped the princesses,” Sunset said flatly. “And tried to destabilize Equestria. There’s a word for ponies like that where I live, terrorists.”

“Okay and?”

“Where is she going with this?” Applejack wondered aloud as Sunset smirked and crouched. I didn’t know much about fighting but that was clearly a offensive position. Even to me that was obvious as Rainbow leaned forward eagerly.

“And there’s a saying where I live that accurately describes how I feel your suggestion,” Sunset continued as Chrysalis stopped walking.

“And what is that?” Chrysalis asked curiously as Sunset’s smirk grew.

“We don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

Sunset pushed herself forward and slammed a hoof into Chrysalis’ face as the changeling staggered back as Rainbow cheered.

“You’ll pay for that,” Chrysalis sneered as a nearby torch on the wall half illuminated Sunset’s cold grin.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Sunset answered as Chrysalis flew at her as the two rolled against the throne room floor. “Oof!”

Sunset kicked Chrysalis off her and the queen slammed into the wall. She was a really ugly thing. Sunset was right in that regard. A few of the changelings quit cheering and watched nervously.

“You will die here!” Chrysalis screamed furiously as she stood up and kicked Sunset across the room.

“I may yes,” Sunset readily agreed as she winced and rubbed her hoof. “Even if I do, there will always be someone to challenge you. May not be in ten years, may not be in a thousand but there will also be somepony like me.”

“That’s such a Sunset thing to say,” Rainbow rolled her eyes with a grin. “She’s kicking ass.”

“When did she get so wise?” Blossomforth wondered as we watched the two approach each other.

“Getting hit by a laser might do that to a person,” Daisy suggested.

An uncomfortable silence fell over us as Sunset and Chrysalis launched at each other.

Chapter Eighteen

Lightning

“Hello fellow rescuers!” Discord called out as he walked out of a nearby hole. Lavender and I looked at each other. He had disappeared like an hour ago and we hadn’t seen him since. Trixie bit her lip and glanced at Starlight worriedly.

“Klutzy?” Trixie offered weakly as Octavia frowned slightly. Discord looked confused before he laughed.

“Oh yeah I can be pretty klutzy at times!” We all looked at each other as I forced myself to not punch him. We had agreed on klutzy draconequus as a code word in case any of us got lost. Well more like forced Discord to agree to it after Trixie made fun of him.

“We can’t stay here,” Thorax said cautiously. “We have to get to the throne!”

“Oh I know where it is!” Discord announced happily and knelt down. “I overheard a changeling patrol talking about where it was. Follow me!”

“You guys know that’s not Discord right?” Starlight whispered behind a hoof as we follow Discord from a distance.

“Obviously!” Trixie hissed back as Discord paused at a fork.

“Right this way!” Discord announced and disappeared down the left.

“I know this trick. When he says go left, we should definitely go right!” Thorax said quietly as he shivered and Starlight looked away. “He’s leading us to a swarm ready to attack!” I was about to volunteer to go when Trixie exhaled.

“Alright I’ll handle it!” Trixie announced and trotted forward as we watched in stunned silence. “You five get ready to run into the other tunnel!”

“Wait what!” Starlight snapped and raised a hoof before she stood in front of Trixie. “Trixie you can’t! I don’t know what to do! We already lost Discord! I can’t lose you too! Without magic-”

“Starlight!” Trixie snapped and pressed a hoof to her cheek. “You got us this far by my Illusions and Discords annoying personality! You don’t need magic to figure out what to do next. I know you’re afraid to be in charge, but you’re really good at it! Listen to your best friend.”

“Trixie is right love,” Octavia said as the two hugged. “You are very capable.”

“Trixie I-”

“Save whatever it is till we got out of this mess Starlight,” Trixie smirked and faced the opening. “Hey Discord! Wanna see the new trick I’ve been working on? I call it the changeling catcher!” She waved a hoof over a pink cloth placed over his claw and her wave, yanking it away to reveal them tied together as Discord growled. “Run!”

“Let’s go!” I shouted and dragged a stunned Lavender as we ran down the tunnel. “Trixie is buying us time. Let’s get the hell out of here!”

I don’t know how long we ran for until we stopped to rest against a wall. Octavia slumped over panting as I offered her and my three other allies a few granola bars I had packed.

“Thanks love,” Octavia sighed as she tore it open as a hole appeared under her. “Ahhh!”

“Octavia!” Lavender screamed as we gazed at the hole in horror and yanked my outstretched hoof back before the hole closed as Octavias scream faded.

“Fuck this place man!” I growled angrily and slammed a hoof on the ground before walking into a tunnel. “No offense Thorax, but your home is shitty.”

“Oh none taken!” Thorax admitted with a smile. “It is pretty awful. I hated it here.”

“Where the hell are you going?” Lavender demanded as I continued trotting.

“Looking for a fight,” I answered simply as I looked around.

“I’m coming with,” Lavender said instantly and stood up. “Octavia was my friend too.”

I paused and looked over the lavender unicorn before I nodded. Lavender nodded back and let out a sigh of relief.

“You guys keep going,” Lavender said and looked back at Starlight and Thorax. “Get to throne room. We’ll be fine.”

“We’re gonna even the odds out a bit,” I smiled coldly as slammed my hooves together. “Don’t worry about us.”

We didn’t leave them a opportunity to respond before we galloped into the darkness.

Lavender and I slunk down the tunnel and looked around. All around us were the sounds of flapping wings and buzzing sounds from the changelings. I don’t know where Starlight and Thorax were or if they even got to the throne room.

“You scared?” I asked finally as my eyes flicked over to my unicorn friend. “It’s okay if you are. I’m scared as hell.”

“Me too,” Lavender admitted as she looked at me with her surprisingly large light purple eyes. “I’m terrified but well it’s easier to shove down if my friends are here.”

“I know what you mean,” I chuckled as a changeling patrol passed in front of us. “Hey you guys!” They froze and looked at us before snarling and approached us.

“Get them!” A changeling ordered as Lavender and I ran at them. I punched one with a hoof as Lavender kicked one with her back legs.

“Nice job!” I congratulated Lavender as I slammed two changelings heads together and they fell on the ground. She gave a smile as punched the last one and a buzzing sound got closer. “Are we taking prisoners?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to find out what a murder charge in Equestria is like,” Lavender commented as I punched another changeling and his jaw broke as he collapsed in a pile.

“Fair enough,” I agreed as we looked away from each other to keep fighting. Lavender screamed and I spun around as she fell. I glared at the changeling with blood on his fang and the scrape on her back. “Lavender!”

“I’m fine!” Lavender grimaced as I stood protectively over her and snapped the changelings neck who bit her. He collapsed on the floor and didn’t move. “Leave me behind! Find the others!”

“Hell no!” I snapped as I kicked another changeling away as more filled the tunnel. “I just killed one. They will kill you.”

I glanced down at Lavender bitting her lip as she slowly stopped bleeding and glanced up at the angry changelings and gulped nervously. I may have bit off more than I could chew.

Chapter Nineteen

Roseluck

We watched in stunned silence as two changelings carried off an unconscious Lavender and Lightning. I didn’t expect Lightning to just straight up kill one but it was self defense. That was going to be in my nightmares I think.

“Get off me Raindrops!” Cloudkicker snapped angrily as the yellow girl sat on top of Cloudkickers back. “You seriously expect me to stay here after that?”

“Yes,” Raindrops said simply as the portal shifted to show us Sunset. “She’s fine. She’s alive. You saw them knock both of them out and put them in that green slimey thing.”

“Waaah!” Sunset shouted as Chrysalis bit her tail and threw her into the wall with a loud cracking sound as Sunset slumped over.

“That had to hurt,” Flitter muttered nervously. “She isn’t dead is she?”

“No,” Fluttershy said as she brushed some hair out of her eyes. “You can see her chest rising.” Sunset climbed to her hooves and glared at Chrysalis.

“You are strong,” Chrysalis admitted as she stood across from Sunset. “For a pony.” Sunset slammed a hoof against the rock three times and snorted.

“Non ducor duco!” Sunset shouted and galloped at the changeling and slid under her before kicking up into her stomach and sent her flying.

“What the heck does that mean?” Raindrops wondered as Rainbow shrugged.

“It’s latin,” Twilight answered and pushed her glasses up. “It means I am not led, I lead. I didn’t know she knew latin. That’s impressive. Most likely she learned it in Equestria.”

“Man why does Equestria get all the good stuff?” Apple Bloom grumbled as she tossed a beanbag back to Sweetie Belle.

“We have latin,” Twilight replied quietly. “I can teach you after all this. My favorite quote is qui totum vult totum perdit. He who wants everything loses everything.”

Chrysalis slammed her head into Sunsets and Sunset staggered backwards with a dazed expression. Blood trickled down her nose after Chrysalis slammed a hoof into her face and Sunset fell backwards.

“Well she was winning for a bit,” Pinkie sighed as Chrysalis slammed her hoof down on one of Sunset’s hind leg and Sunset cried out as I shivered at the cracking sound. I’ve only broken a leg once but once you hear the sound, you never forget it.

“A valiant effort,” Chrysalis growled as she pressed her foreleg over Sunset’s throat to start choking her as Sunset weakly slammed a hoof against Chrysalis foreleg. “It’s a pity you ponies die so easily otherwise I might have a sense of satisfaction from this.”

Sunset gagged as a grey blur with a black mane tackled Chrysalis and the two went rolling. Sunset pushed herself up with a hoof panting as she gazed in shock at the mare.

“Octavia?” Sunset coughed out as Octavia flashed her a smile.

“Hello love,” Octavia nodded as she slammed a hoof into Chrysalis’ head.

“I never knew Octavia was so violent,” Lily muttered in awe as Octavia bit at Chrysalis. “She’s typically so quiet and nice.”

“Talk about good timing,” Applejack said in awe as Chrysalis tossed Octavia on top of Sunset. A few changelings flew in with Trixie, Discord, Lavender and Lightning in cocoons before hanging them on the ceiling.

“How did you find me?” Sunset asked quietly as she gazed at the hanging cocoons.

“Well a hole under the ground opened under me and I fell through. Then I just wandered around and heard the sounds of fighting. I looked around and saw her choking you. I couldn’t do nothing,” Octavia explained as Chrysalis glared at them. “I got separated from Lavender and Lightning. Looks like they got captured.”

“Tell me,” Chrysalis grumbled and stared at Octavia. “Where are the others?”

“It was just us five,” Octavia lied and glared back. “Guess you won.”

“Lies!” Chrysalis shouted and raised a hoof. Octavia’s eyes widened as she rolled on top of Sunset and grimaced as a hoof slammed into her back.

“Bitch,” Sunset spit on Chrysalis’ face as she wrapped her legs around Octavia in a hug. “We might die here Tavi.” Chrysalis wiped the spit away and glared at them.

“We very well may love,” Octavia agreed nervously as the two hugged each other. “I do quite enjoy your company.”

“Love you too,” Sunset agreed and planted a completely platonic kiss on Octavias forehead and Octavia quickly returned it. Chrysalis’ horn glowed green as she blasted them and the two started snoring on top of each other.

“Put them in the cocoons! And do it right this time!” Chrysalis snapped as four changelings rushed forward and started spitting a disgusting green liquid on them.

Starlight snuck into the throne home and nodded as Thorax confronted Chrysalis. Starlight slipped into a hole in throne and started slamming a rock against the throne in an attempt to break it. Sunset and Octavia hung from the ceiling in a cocoon together. Sweetie screamed and hid behind Rarity.

“Her doing that nasty body thing how she rotated her head scared me,” she explained sheepishly as Rarity hugged her. “Gonna be seeing that in my nightmares.”

“Honestly I didn’t think you were worth replacing with one of my drones,” Chrysalis growled as she glared at Starlight.

“Thorax is still out!” Thorax shouted and flinched as the changelings hissed.

“Do not mention that traitors name in Mt kingdom!” Chrysalis shouted as she hissed. “He was a fool to leave and a fool to return. When I find him, he will learn just what happens when one betrays the hive. And it doesn’t look like I have far to look!”

We nervously watched as she blasted him and his Starlight disguise disappeared. All the changelings hissed as he shivered slightly. A smacking sound came from Starlight and Chrysalis looked at her, blasting at her as Starlight hid.

“I see Thorax told you the secret of my throne. I can’t have powerful ponies using their abilities against me. And even with your pitiful rescue attempt, everything is going according to my plan.”

“What plan?” Starlight called out. “Why do all this?”

“To feed of course!” Chrysalis snapped as she stuck her head inside the throne. “By replacing all the beloved ponies of Equestria, my changelings will be able to store all the love meant for them and deliver it to me!”

“What a bitch,” Cloudchaser muttered.

“What if you didn’t have to?” Starlight shouted as Chrysalis landed in front of her.

“Ridiculous!” She shouted as she threw Starlight to some waiting changelings. “The hunger of a changeling can never be satisfied!”

“Exactly! Thorax left the hive and made a friend. He shared love!” Starlight shot back. “He doesn’t have to feed. You don’t have to live starving all the time!”

“Now I feel bad for them,” Sweetie muttered under her breath.

“How can ya say that?” Apple Bloom asked incredulously. “They kidnapped our friends!”

“Because they were hungry!” Sweetie Belle shot back. “Do you want any body to starve?”

“Well no,” Apple Bloom admitted as she rubbed the back of her neck.

“Exactly!”

“Nonsense!” Chrysalis shouted and threw Starlight again. “I decide what is best for my subjects! Not you!”

“I know what it’s like to lead by fear and intimidation,” Starlight said quietly as she stood up. “And I know what it’s like to want everypony to do what you say! But I was wrong! A real leader doesn’t force her subjects to deny who they are. She celebrates what makes them unique and listens when they find a better way.”

“The only thing Thorax will find is what happens to traitors of the hive!” Chrysalis snapped.

“No stop!”

“And once I drain every ounce of love from him, I’ll show my subjects what a real leader is.”

“I can feel the love inside me slipping away. I can’t hold onto it much longer,” Thorax gritted his teeth.

“What is this, a little girls show?” Rainbow scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“Yes!” Pinkie shouted as she sat next to me.

“Then don’t!” Starlight shouted with a grin. “Sharing love is what made you different. You should share your love with Chrysalis. Give her all of it!”

“Yep. Kid show material for sure.”

A purple laser enveloped Chrysalis as we all watched with wide eyes.

Chapter Twenty

Octavia

With a pained groan, I shoved the weird green cocoon thing off me as I faintly made out the others doing the same. I shakily stood and stared at Sunset next to me trying to stand up.

“Don’t,” I warned as I pushed her down with a hoof. “You have a broken leg love. You took quite the beating. Had me worried there.” Terrified me was a more accurate statement. I thought she was dead when I stumbled upon Chrysalis choking her.

“Okay,” Sunset groaned as she complied. Derpy and Twilight galloped over as Derpy nuzzled her.

“Thank the stars you’re alive,” Derpy sighed and wrapped a wing around her. “We couldn’t see anything but we could hear you and the one meanie fighting.”

“You got a broken leg as Octavia said,” Twilight said as she patted Sunset on the back as her horn glowed. “That spell should help with the pain till we get you to Redheart or another doctor.”

“Okay,” Sunset muttered as Derpy and I helped her up. “Can you get mom and the others here? Dinky and Sea Swirl?”

“Yeah you got it,” Twilight nodded as her horn flashed and Cheerilee staggered to her hooves along with Berry and the others.

“Sunset!” Cheerilee shouted as she and the others galloped over. “What the hell happened to you?”

“May or may have tried to fight Chrysalis by myself,” Sunset said and winced. “Octavia here bailed me.” Berry and Cherry looked over her cuts and scrapes as Moondancer knelt down next to her.

“Thank you Octavia,” Silver Spoon said as she and Diamond Tiara hugged me as I faintly blushed at the fillies hugging me.

“Think nothing of it loves,” I said and smiled down at them.

“Where are we?” Rainbow asked as she stood up.

“Changeling kingdom,” Lightning said as she and Lavender stood up. Lavender had a cut mark on her back and Lightning had a scratch on her chest.

“Oh no,” Equestrian Lyra muttered as she, Twinkleshine and Equestrian Minuette hugged each other. Some rocks that had been the throne got shoved aside and Chrysalis stood ontop of it. Everyone glared at her as Starlight cautiously approached her.

“Finish her off Starlight!” Adagio called out angrily as she watched. “Do it now!”

“You can come with me,” Starlight offered as she held out a hoof to Chrysalis. “You don’t have to be alone. You can be the leader your kind deserves.” Chrysalis gazed at her and stretched a hoof out before smacking her hoof away.

“Never!” Chrysalis shouted as Sunset’s horn started glowing along with Moondancer, Sea Swirl, Equestrian Lyra, Minuette, Twinkleshine, Amethyst and Lemon Hearts as they all glared angrily at her. “You will pay for this Starlight Glimmer!” She shoved Starlight into Lavender and Lightning as she ran away.

“Coward!” Lightning called out to the changeling running into the desert. Moondancer stood on top of the rock and shot a hole in her wing as Chrysalis screamed and disappeared into the distance.

“Octavia!” Vinyl called out as she hugged me.

“Bonnie! Lyra!”” Sweetie Drops said as she hugged our Bon Bon and Lyra. “Thank the gods.”

“So what now?” Sea Swirl asked aloud as Equestrian Bon Bon produced binoculars from her bag and scanned the horizon. She and Equestrian Lyra had sunglasses on for some reason.

“We work to get the changelings introduced to pony culture,” Celestia said as she and Sunset pointedly made an effort to stay a few feet away as they glanced at each other before quickly looking away. “I hope you and I can work together to get our kinds to work together Thorax.”

“As do I,” Thorax agreed as I glanced at the brightly colored changeling. He and the other changelings looked completely different from what I remembered.

I sat next to Sunset at a table in Starlights village. Starlight decided to come back with us all as guests. Sunset had a cast on her leg that matched her fur and a bunch of bandages on her barrel.

“You feeling okay?” I asked as Derpy sat on her left with a wing wrapped around her. Sunset and Celestia kept glancing at each other before hastily looking away. “Penny for your thoughts love?”

“Is that your catch phrase?” Sunset snorted with a smirk.

“Maybe,” I admitted with a smirk of my own. “Yours is my past is not today so.”

“You should talk to her, you know?” Derpy commented as she kissed Sunset’s cheek. “I’m sure Celestia would be happy to talk to you again.”

“I want to,” Sunset admitted as she traced her hoof on the table.

“But?” I pressed as Sunset looked at me.

“But she probably hates me,” Sunset answered as she held up a hoof to Derpys mouth. “Hear me out. I know it’s fifty fifty that she could hate me and she couldn’t but I was pretty problematic and I’m off my anxiety meds because we forgot them. And plus, I want to sort out my issues with Sunburst and Spitfire before I even try with Celestia.”

“That does make some sense,” I said after a moment and Derpy nodded. “Sorting your issues with your family does take precedence.”

“But Celestia is right here,” Derpy pointed out. “Why not take advantage of it?”

“If she comes up to me,” Sunset began and shakily levitated a glass of water to her mouth. “I’ll talk to her.”

Derpy and I looked at each other before shrugging. That did sound like a pretty fair compromise. Neither of us really wanted to push her on the matter either.

“You really scared me there you know?” Derpy muttered as she hugged Sunset. “Don’t ever do that again. I thought you were going to die.”

“Hey I’m too cool to die!” Sunset boasted with a grin as Derpy rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious Sunset,” Derpy warned her sternly as Sunset frowned. “Don’t do it again.”

“I’ll try,” Sunset whispered as she looked between me and her. “For both of you. Thank you Octavia by the way. You pretty much saved my life. I owe you my life.”

“And I owe you mine,” I bowed my head slightly. “The whole sirens deal.”

“I hope Chrysalis comes back now that I have my magic,” Sunset sighed wistfully as I ate a cupcake. “She messed with the wrong bitch.”

“Why on earth would you want that?” Derpy demanded as she stared at her. Sunset cracked a grin as she wrapped her hooves around our shoulders.

“For a fair fight of course!”

Derpy rolled her eyes as she smacked Sunset upside the head with a wing as I groaned. We both smirked slightly and sighed.

Chapter Twenty One

Twilight

I sat next to Princess Celestia and Luna at a table on the opposite side of the street of Sunset and her friends. Sunset and I had spent a majority of the time catching up after I had dragged her to Redheart along with Cheerilee and her sisters. Sunset could be surprisingly stubborn about not going to hospitals and had insisted she was fine.

The fact that Sunset and Celestia kept stealing glances at each other didn’t escape Luna or I as we both glanced at each other as if trying to make the other talk first. In the end, I lost.

“You should talk to her,” I said finally as Celestia glanced at me. “You’ve been talking about wishing you could fix your relationship with Sunset. She’s right here. Here’s your chance.”

“I can’t,” Celestia sighed sadly as she gazed at the sun.

“Why not?” Luna decided to join in and raised an eyebrow. “I think you should. It might be what’s the term? Therapist?”

“Therapeutic,” I corrected subconsciously as a faint smile tugged at Luna’s mouth. “And I agree.”

“Sunset probably hates me,” Celestia admitted as she sullenly ate a piece of cake. “I didn’t teach her the same way I did with you. I thought a heavy hoofed approach was better and well it wasn’t. It just drove Sunset away. I’d hate me if I was in her horse shoes.”

“I doubt Sunset hates you,” I pointed out with a frown. “Sure, you may have not been the best back then to teach her but look at her now. She saved the human world once, fought Chrysalis hoof to hoof without magic and was willing to give up her life for Equestria. That includes you. Her loyalty rests with the Crown even if she doesn’t live here anymore.”

“You know when I saw her fighting Chrysalis without a care in the world, I couldn’t have been more prouder. I don’t advocate for violence usually but Sunset fought well. Her mom would have been proud of her if she was here today,” Celestia sighed and stared at Derpy and Octavia talking to Sunset. “I can’t just walk up to her and expect her to not flip. If she walks up to me, then I’ll talk to her.”

“Fair enough sister,” Luna conceded as Shining Armor chased after Flurry Heart.

“She does look happy. Does she not?” Celestia asked with a faint smile.

“She is,” I promised. “I left her in good hands. Octavia and Derpy are good influences. Derpy keeps her grounded.”

“Are you going to do what we four discussed?” Cadence finally chimed in from her spot to my left. “Looks her conversation with her friend and partner is over.”

“Yeah,” I said and stood up. “I’ll be back soon.”

I trotted over to the three mares laughing about something which was a complete one eighty to the serious looking conversation they were having a minute ago.

“Sunset, can I borrow you for a few moments?” I asked with a warm smile. “It’ll only be a few minutes, I promise.”

“Yeah sure Twilight,” Sunset shrugged with a smile. “Lead the way.” I looked back and forth and lead Sunset to a quiet empty alley way.

“So first off thank you for at least trying to fight off Chrysalis,” I said and hugged Sunset. “I couldn’t be prouder. All of us. I don’t think I could have been able to have done that in all honesty.”

“It was nothing,” Sunset said as she hugged me wincing. “I may not live here anymore, but I still come from here. My loyalty belongs to the princesses after all.”

“And about that,” I took a deep breath and kicked the ground. “I talked with the other princesses and we can make you an alicorn.”

“W-wait really?” Sunset stammered as her eyes widened. “Me?”

“Yeah,” I agreed and nodded with a smile. “You’ve earned it. You certainly came a long way from the mare responsible for stealing my crown. You’d get your own castle and part of Equestria to rule. You’d have to live here permanently though.” Sunset’s face fell as she bit her lip and looked back to Derpy laughing with Octavia and the others.

“Thanks but no thanks,” Sunset said finally and I clapped my hooves together.

“Excellent! Let me get the other princesses and we can- wait what?” I asked in confusion.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m honored. Really,” Sunset said and rubbed her foreleg as she stared at the ground nervously. “At one point in my life, I’d have jumped at the offer in a heart beat. I’m happy with my life without being a princess. I’d have to live here without Derpy and my friends and my family. I’d also be immortal and I’d outlive them all. A life without my partner and family is a life not worth living.”

“I understand,” I said with a sigh. “I’ve been trying not to think about the fact there’s a chance I could outlive my friends and family. Heart problems run in my family and well, mom is already complaining about her heart. Makes me worried. I respect your decision. If your ever change your mind, the offer is still on the table Sunny.”

“Thank you. I hope you aren’t mad at me but I’m happy how things are going,” Sunset admitted sheepishly as she traced a circle in the dirt with her hoof. “I know even asking the others was a huge risk and I appreciate it.” I bit back a laugh. If only she knew Celestia had suggested it five seconds before I did. Celestia and I were the most adament out of all of us. Cadence and Luna quickly agreed after Celestia and I caught them up to speed.

“I’m not mad at you,” I smiled warmly. “I could never be mad. It’s your right and I respect it.”

“Thanks,” Sunset sighed as a mischievous smirk grew on her face. “So what are you Adagio gonna do when you get back to the castle?”

I turned bright red and sputtered as Sunset burst out laughing.

Chapter Twenty Two

Derpy

“You did what!?”

Everyone shivered jumped slightly at my exclamation as we sat around the throne room. The main six were busy with their lives and weren’t here. Applejack had the farm, Fluttershy was feeding her animals. Pinkie and Rarity were baking while Twilight was meeting the mayor with the princesses while Rainbow was working on the weather.

“I turned it down,” Sunset repeated as she shrugged and ate a cookie.

“Are you insane?” I shouted as Sunset flinched. Lyra and Lightning looked at us nervously before looking back to each other.

“You know,” Lyra said as her eyes flicked between us. “I just suddenly remembered that I agreed to help my counterpart!”

“I also agreed to help my counterpart!” Lightning said nervously as the two shot out of the room.

“We haven’t even met your counterpart!” I shouted as Berry Punch and the others quietly slipped out of the room.

“I think you two should have this argument alone,” Octavia said honestly as usual and she galloped out of the room before flashing us a reassuring smile and shut the doors quietly.

“Why do you think I should have accepted it?” Sunset asked as she focused on me. It had been about a week since the invasion and she had been healing up nicely. She stubbornly insisted on walking without my help or Octavia’s. I swear, that mare will kill me one day. If her family doesn’t kill her first for not listening to the doctors of course.

“Because! You’re awesome, you are literally a hero!” I shouted as my voice echoed and my wings flared out. “You’re already my princess, why not accept them making you into a real life one?”

“I’d literally be immortal damn it!” Sunset snapped back. “I’d be outliving you, Lyra, mom and my sisters. And my aunts. Don’t forget Rainbow, Cloudkicker and all the others! I don’t want that.”

“Then they would find a way to make us all immortal damn it,” I shot back and Sunset stared at me with a stunned expression. I almost never swear. “You should have just accepted it!”

“Fuck that!” Sunset shouted and stood up. “I’d rather not be immortal and be lonely. I’ve already been lonely once. I don’t want to be again.” All my anger evaporated as my eyes widened.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you,” I muttered and nuzzled her.

“Me too,” Sunset sighed and quickly returned the gesture. “I assume that was our first fight.”

“Yeah I guess it was,” I admitted sheepishly and hugged her. “Let’s never do it again.”

“Agreed,” Sunset hugged me back as we fell silent and Sunset returned to her work. “I’ve been thinking-”

“Dangerous for you,” I quipped with a smile.

“I’m serious Derpy,” Sunset said as she glanced up at me and my smile faded.

“Go on,” I said and sat down on my haunches next to her.

“We’ve been through a lot in these past few months that we’ve been dating I’d say,” Sunset said casually as she held a hammer in her magic.

“Yeah I’d say we have. Sirens, anon a miss, the changelings,” I said and pressed my hoof on the table. We hadn’t been dating during the sirens but minor detail.

“Precisely,” Sunset nodded her agreement. “Which is why we should run off to Los Pegasus, get super drunk and married in a day. We’ve already been through more than most people can say. So what do you say?”

“I’d say yes but we are still in high-school,” I started as Sunset’s face fell. “We don’t know the first thing about that.”

“So that’s a no then,” Sunset sighed quietly as she slammed her head against the table.

“Yeah,” I said quietly as my eyes widened slightly. I forced her head up with a hoof and stared at her. “Not no forever though! When we became eighteen or twenty one, ask me again and I’ll say yes in a heart beat. I’m yours.”

“Really?” Sunset asked as she grinned.

“Really,” I agreed as I kissed her. I pushed Sunset back before she could kiss me back and I laid on the table in front of her seductively. “And now time for my hero to get her reward.”

Sunset’s grin grew as she shut the light off and kissed me as she climbed on the table and massaged my wing.

“You know someone could walk in on us right?”

“Sounds like a problem for later.”

“How are you feeling?” Lyra asked me as we watched Octavia, Lightning and Lavender get the same medal Sunset has placed around their necks.

“Tired,” I admitted as Celestia placed some medals on Starlight, Discord, Thorax and Trixie’s necks. “I could use a nap.”

“I meant with Sunset,” Lyra clarified as she frowned. “You guys went at it after we left. I could hear the shouting as I ran away down the hall.”

“I thought you went to help your counterpart?” I pointed out as I glanced at her.

“Oh right!” Lyra laughed and rubbed the back of her neck. “That’s what I meant to say!” I said nothing and just stared at her as she nervously looked away.

“You’re a bad liar,” I said flatly as I turned back to staring ahead at Octavia. “But yeah we’re good. Don’t really plan to have a fight again.”

“Well they’re kinda unavoidable,” Bon Bon added as she patted me on the back. “Trust me, if I could avoid the fights Lyra and I have, we’d be golden. It’s like every month I do something to annoy or she does something to annoy me.”

“She’s right,” Lyra chimed in. “Like how she moves my unicorn figurine collection without asking me. That really makes me mad.”

“Because you never dust under them!” Bon Bon shot back with a glare.

“Who cares? The dust is under the figurines. No one looks under them!” Lyra grumbled with a glare.

“It’s not about looking under them Lyra. It’s about knowing it’s there!”

I rolled my eyes and quietly slipped away as they continued arguing with some of the ponies in crowd stepping back nervously.

Chapter Twenty Three

Derpy

I sat on the floor as Lavender, Vinyl and Twilight gave me stunned looks as I sipped my milkshake we had brought with us from Sugarcube Corner.

“So hold on hold on. Let me get this straight,” Vinyl said as she waved her hooves around the air. “Sunset asked you to marry her, the person you have been dating for God knows how long, the person you have drove me up the wall when you talk about her and you said no. Are you out of your mind?”

“I didn’t say no per se,” I argued as Vinyl ate a cherry from her shake. “I just said we should wait. She suggested the two of us run off to Los Vegas and get married. Plus copious amounts of alcohol was suggested. None of you guys would probably be there and besides, she did say later that night she wanted our friends back home to be there.”

“Plus Derpys mom would want Sunset to ask for permission like those annoying old fashioned people love,” Lavender said and rolled her eyes.

“That too,” I conceded with a nod. “Sunset and I did exchange promise rings the other night though if that makes you feel better. Mine is a light grayish gold like my skin and eyes.”

“I could officiate a wedding you know,” Twilight said casually as she twirled a straw in her magic. “Princesses automatically gain that power. I did have to take a course and all like the others did for paperwork reasons. Cadence would flip her lid out of pure happiness in all honesty.”

“Maybe,” I shrugged and climbed to my hooves. “I did tell her to ask me when we are adults and I’d say yes.”

“Technically you’d be an adult when you’re both eighteen,” Vinyl said with a smirk as she eyed me. “This is an Octavia or Bon Bon conversation to be honest.”

“I left it open for her interpretation,” I smirked as I stretched my wings. “We also have Berry’s and Minuettes wedding in a month and a half. Going to that wedding and then having to plan our own would be a lot of work. Especially after we planned theirs.”

“When did you know you were gay by the way? Out of curiosity of course,” Twilight asked and raised an eyebrow.

“I’m straight for the record,” I said as they all three looked at each before giving me confused looks.

“Uh Derpy?”

“Yes Vinyl?”

“Sunset’s a girl,” Vinyl pointed out.

“Unless there’s something you’re not telling us of course,” Lavender added with a smirk.

“She is a girl yes,” I agreed after a moment. “What I meant is she’s the only female I’ve ever been into. Everyone before her had been guys. I’m technically straight just dating someone I like for her well everything. I’m a personality person.”

“Where is Sunset anyway?” Twilight asked curiously.

“She’s having lunch with Trixie to gauge if Trixie likes Starlight or not,” I said and shrugged. “Starlight asked us to help her get Trixie to date her.”

“Why didn’t she ask me for help?” Twilight shouted as her wings flared out. I gulped nervously as she stared at me. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to say that.

“Oops?”

I stared at the window of the train as it raced down the tracks with a wing wrapped around Sunset and Dinky as Dinky snored quietly. Ruby was peering out the window as she stood on Berry’s head as she fought to keep her face neutral.

“I love you Ruby but please get off my head,” Berry said dryly as the filly jumped off sheepishly.

“Sorry!”

Sunset and I snickered as she turned to me and nuzzled Dinky a few times before yawning.

“So how does Trixie feel about Starlight?” I asked curiously as the train entered a tunnel and everything went dark.

“Ironically enough, she likes Starlight too. So we just have to get them to tell each other. I didn’t outright tell Trixie, I just suggested she talk to Starlight about it,” Sunset explained with a smirk. “So out of our friends back home, who do you think would be into the same gender?”

“Hmm,” I hummed and rubbed my chin with a hoof. “I can see Rosie being bi. Daisy and Lily are straight, same with Cloudchaser and Flitter. Blossom and Kicker are involved last time I heard. Rainbow would be gay, Pinkie would be bi, Fluttershy is straight, Rarity and Applejack are straight. Raindrops is most definitely straight. Plus Diamond and Bloom are seeing each other right?”

“Right,” Sunset agreed as she shook Dinky awake. “We’re here. Wake up.”

“Where is here?” Dinky muttered as she climbed onto my back before we got off the train.

“Crystal Empire. Sunburst lives here so this is the first stop,” Sunset explained as we stepped on the platform and Sunset glowed. “Twilight sent for Spitfire to be here too.”

“Why are you glowing?” Cheerilee asked as she covered her eyes with a hoof before glowing as well.

“When you come to the Crystal Empire, you become a crystal pony temporarily,” a voice behind us startled me and I spun around. A pink pony with wings and a pretty mane stood behind us with a smile.

“Princess Cadence,” Sunset said with a nod and knelt down to bow. I watched with wide eyes before hastily mimicking it with the others.

“I’ve never seen Sunset act so formal before,” Cherry Berry whispered as she mimicked Sunset.

“Neither have I,” Cheerilee whispered as I tipped forward and my eyes widened even more if that was possible.

“Waah!” I yelped as a blue glow surrounded me and Cadence smirked.

“No need to bow,” Cadence waved a hoof as she levitated me to my hooves. “Welcome to the Crystal Empire. I like to greet all our guests. Especially one with your reputation.”

“Thank you Princess,” Sunset bowed her head slightly as she stood back up.

“Sunset Shimmer, correct?” Cadence asked neutrally.

“Yes Princess,” Sunset answered with a nod.

“Please walk with me.”

I gave Sunset a confused look as Sunset shrugged before trotting off to catch up with Cadence.

Chapter Twenty Four

Sunset

I slowly trotted alongside Princess Cadence down the street as random ponies nodded in respect to the Princess. I didn’t know Cadence that well but I did know she wasn’t a push over. For the Princess of Love, she could be surprisingly strict and angry when necessary. It was a bit weird being so well sparkly and almost see through.

“Is there something you needed Princess?” I asked cautiously as we approached the palace. I’ve only seen her angry once and let’s just say it left a lasting impression. I still think Blueblood hasn’t gotten over that talking to.

“Cadence is fine,” Cadence said with an eyeroll. “You’re just like your brother. It’s scary. Don’t even get me started on how Spitfire is. You three are obviously each other siblings.”

“Feels weird to call you Cadence no offense,” I scuffed a hoof on the ground before I continued walking. “Twilight is pretty much the only Princess I’m on a first name base with anymore. Cadence it is.”

“Yes Twilight is pretty lax on her title,” Cadence readily agreed as two guards opened the castle doors. I didn’t respond as our hooves echoed on the crystal flooring. “What’s with you Shimmers and serving royalty?”

“What do you mean?” I asked as we walked up some stairs.

“Sunburst serves as my child’s foalsitter in a way, Spitfire serves all of us princesses and you serve Twilight. Plus your family technically served Equestria before and after the rebellion alongside the Kickers,” Cadence answered as some doors opened. “That’s over a thousand years of servitude.”

“Good question,” I said as we approached what could be a baby’s room. “I don’t know. That’s the best answer I could give you.”

“Fair enough,” Cadence admitted with a faint smile as entered the room with a crib in it. “Meet Flurry Heart.”

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped as the baby alicorn jumped out at me. A natural born alicorn wasn’t possible. Not even Celestia and Luna were born that way. I had briefly seen the foal at the changeling kingdom but I was too busy and injured to pay much attention to her.

“How is this possible?” I demanded as I levitated Flurry and started examining her. “There’s never been a natural born alicorn before!”

“Nopony knows,” Cadence answered as she kissed Flurrys head. “Not a single pony knows. Twilight doesn’t, I don’t nor do the others. The doctors don’t and Sunburst doesn’t.”

“This is incredible,” I mused as I set the foal down and she made some weird baby noise.

“Sunburst thought you would say that,” Cadence smirked as she sat down on the rug. “He said you were a bit of a scientist and that’s all you really knew.”

“Remind me to hit him when I see him,” I said flatly as I glowered. Cadence only laughed as the door opened and I flicked an ear.

“I hope you don’t try to hit me,” a voice behind me said and I glanced back at unicorn with a beard and a weird cape stood behind me. “Sister.” I stood up and we briefly hugged as I looked over Sunburst.

“The beard has to go,” I said finally as I smirked before lifting the hem of his coat with my hoof. “And what’s with the jacket?”

“I quite like the beard and jacket thank you very much,” Sunburst said indignantly as he pulled his coat away. “It gives me a distinguished look.”

“Yeah yeah keep telling yourself that,” a pegasus with a orange coat and a fiery mane scoffed as she landed and shook her wings. “This better be important, Sunburst. You interrupted Wonderbolt training and I got a bunch of recruits to intimidate.” Spitfire paused as she made eye contact with me. “You.”

“Me,” I agreed as we glared at each other. Cadence’s eyes flicked nervously between the two of us as Spitfire approached me.

“Should I take Flurry out of the room for this?” Cadence asked finally.

“No,” Spitfire and I said as we sighed. “You know, if you weren’t injured, I’d be beating you up.”

“Puh lease!” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “I could take you on even with a broken leg. I easily took you on as a filly.”

“At least I didn’t abandon everypony around me and run off to a different world!” Spitfire shot with a glare as she circled me.

“At least I didn’t abandon mom after dad died to be a Wonderbolt!” I snapped and growled softly. “I stayed by her side with Sunburst and we worked our flanks off to help mom out while you were gallivanting off doing Celestia knows what.”

“I was sending all of my check to mom!” Spitfire snarled as she sat down in front of me. “I barely had any money myself because I left to take care of her! If it wasn’t for Soarin letting me live in his apartment with him, I’d have been stuck on the street!”

We both fell silent as we stared at each other and I could feel my brothers eyes on us along with Cadence and Flurry before Spitfire patted my shoulder.

“You two get that out of your system yet?” Sunburst asked flatly as he tossed Flurry a ball. “The two of them used to solve their issued with each other by beating each other senseless. Mom and Dad had to lock up the blocks when they went in the room after Mom caught Sunset trying to shove a square block down Spitfires throat.”

“I still say you using your magic was unfair,” Spitfire scoffed as she reluctantly hugged me. I gave her an incredulous look.

“You can fly!”

“And you can teleport!” Spitfire snickered as I hugged her back. “So what?”

“Fair enough,” I admitted as Cadence coughed.

“Before I let you three finish reconnecting, there is something I want to ask you Sunset,” Cadence said and I glanced at her. “So I assume you three all know about the threat somepony made against Twilight after her speech about letting the Changelings integrate with our society.”

“Yeah,” I said and frowned. “You think she would be taking an assassination threat more serious. She’s been doing more public speeches instead. I get trying to not show fear is a good skill and all but she’s barely working with the guards.”

“Stupid in my opinion,” Spitfire scoffed. “She only allowed Soarin and the other Wonderbolts there because of Rainbow.”

“Exactly,” Cadence nodded and let out a frustrated sigh. “Twilight can be stubborn in her own way. Which is leading to my question. Your fighting skills against Chrysalis was good but you’re a bit of a loose cannon.”

“Sunset and Spitfire both have that in common,” Sunburst quipped as Spitfire and I made eye contact before nodding. We both quickly smacked him upside the head with a hoof and he winced. “Shutting up now.”

“Celestia and I are both permanently giving a couple hundred guards to be assigned to Twilight. They’ll technically be ours still but they answer to Twilight,” Cadence said casually as she levitated a toy to Flurry. “Spitfire here trained my guards along with Shining. You took him down in how long?”

“Fifteen seconds.”

“I blame my cooking for that one,” Cadence laughed sheepishly behind a hoof. “Otherwise he might have won. My question is, you want to join the Royal Guard? You can still live in the other world, I only need you to stay here for the training and then you can return. Only takes two months for leadership training. You’d be answering to me and Twilight of course.”

Spitfire and Sunburst both looked at me curiously as I shrugged in response.

“I’ll give it some thought. As long as I can stay with my partner and family,” I said finally. “I’m leaning to yes.”

“That’s all I ask,” Cadence nodded. “Now I’ll let you three go. Thank you for walking with me Sunset.”

“Anytime Princess.”

I smirked as she laughed quietly and I led my probably only biological siblings outside.

Chapter Twenty Five

Diamond

I stared nervously at the fiery maned yellow pegasus and another unicorn with a red mane next to Sunset. We could all easily see the similarities between the three, mainly mane and coat colors.

“So you’re all the new ponies Sunset calls family,” Spitfire said dryly and I had the feeling it wasn’t a question.

“Yes ma’am,” I stood still and nodded slowly. She seemed to take no nonsense in any way and that made me nervous.

“Walk with me,” Spitfire said coolly as she nodded at us. “You three. I only recognize Scootaloo which is going to be weird.”

I glanced back at Mom and Sunset. They both gave me nods as Silver Spoon, Scootaloo and I followed the pegasus down the street.

“You know the Crystal Empire disappeared over a thousand years ago?” Spitfire asked as she flapped her wings to hover next to us. “Before then, all of our clan along with Cloudkickers clan was buried here. We’ve served royalty for as long as I can remember. The Shimmer and Kicker clan were one of the few clans to remain loyal to Princess Celestia during the Lunar Rebellion. Non ducor duco.”

“Sunset apparently said that during her fight with Chrysalis but I don’t get what it means,” Scootaloo admitted sheepishly as we entered a graveyard.

“I am not led, I lead,” Spitfire answered with a faint smile. “It’s our clans motto. Our ancestors coined it. Because we don’t get led, we lead. I’m the captain of the Wonderbolts, Sunburst is the main foalsitter of Princess Flurry Heart and Sunset is the main ally of Princess Celestia and Twilight. She may not get along with Princess Celestia but she is still our ruler. Make sense?”

“A bit,” I admitted and stared at the slowly setting sun. “If the Crystal Empire disappeared, where did you bury your dead?”

“Canterlot,” Spitfire said simply. “It’s rare for pegasus to get buried but we bury ours. Most get their ashes dumped over they were born which for me is Cloudsdale. We’re the last three remaining of our clan unless you count Aunt Steller Flare which many don’t.”

“Why are you telling us this?” Silver raised an eyebrow as we sat down on a bench.

“History lesson. Knowing where you come from and how to properly represent that history is important.”

That was fair I suppose. Our ex mom drilled that into us when we lived with her and our ex dad. Mainly because of her reputation but meh who cares.

“So are you a hothead like Sunset tends to be or not really?” Scootaloo asked curiously with a flutter of her wings. “Sunset never told us any of this.”

“Yes,” Spitfire admitted with a smirk. “We used to fight all the time as fillies. It used to be just hooves versus hooves till she learned magic and I could fly. Sunburst then sat us after she turned me into a mouse one day to go over rules like the little pacifist he is.” She rolled her eyes but maintained her smirk. “I didn’t expect her to tell after what she told me briefly about not wanting to show off.” That did sound like Sunset.

“So if you all have served the princesses for this long, why did Sunset get chosen by Celestia as her pupil?” I asked and kicked my legs.

“Why not?” That was a good answer as any I suppose. “She did tell me about her last few years and all that. When she’s fully healed and if she comes back, gonna knock some sense into her. Aiming to break her nose in fact.”

“You’d better not!” Scootaloo snapped angrily as we glared at the older pegasus or well sister I guess the term is?

“You have her spirit,” Spitfire chuckled as she quickly looked around her before messing with our manes with a hoof. “Okay, I won’t break her nose but we will fight. I’m her older sister, I’m responsible for her to not act that way. I may fight my siblings but I-” she hesitated and wet her lips as Silvers grin grew.

“Love them?” Silver suggested with a wink.

“Yes that. Thank you.”

“And that includes us, right?” Scootaloo asked nonchalantly. Spitfire sighed and made eye contact.

“I guess it does yeah. You three hit it off with Sunburst. He always was better with kids than I was. The only real interactions I have them are at shows and well our worlds Scootaloo,” Spitfire admitted as she fluffed her wings.

“You seem to be doing well so far,” Scootaloo commented as Spitfire placed a hoof on her chin.

“Ever been flying?” Spitfire asked with a grin. “Let me tell you, there’s no other feeling than the wind in your face and under your wings.”

“No I haven’t,” Scootaloo admitted as Spitfire gave us a flat look. “What?”

“Seriously? You’ve been here for a few weeks and Sunset hasn’t found somepony to teach you to fly yet she got my Wonderbolt reservists to teach Lightning Dust of all ponies to fly?”

“What’s wrong with Lightning Dust?” I asked curiously. I had no issues with the older girl, she’s always nice to me and the others. A bit aggressive when provoked but nice. “She’s always nice to us. Violent but nice.”

“I’ll tell you when you’re older. To put it lightly, I’ve made mistakes in my life. Kinda runs in the family I guess. But mistakes are necessary. Mistakes teach us to be better ponies. Being the best should never come at the expense of our fellow ponies,” Spitfire answered with a faint frown. “It’s weird to see Lightning working well with others. Sunset has told me a little and a few things that I can’t say in front of little ears. Something about a rival school?”

“Huh,” Silver mused as she looked at me. “Sunset didn’t say anything about Lightning having history with Crystal Prep. She tells us everything.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Spitfire shrugged as she slid off the bench and flapped her wings. She grabbed us with a wing and plopped us on her back and took off into the sky as I wrapped my hooves around her neck. “Hang on.”

We stared down at the tiny specks that I assumed were ponies and buildings. I don’t think I’ll ever want to come down after this.

Author's Note

Fun fact, I always used to like Spitfire over Rainbow Dash for the longest. They're equal now.

Chapter Twenty Six

Trixie

I trotted down the street and rolled my eyes at the large Spike statue. The dragon was leaning against it and signing autographs.

“Where is Starlight?” I asked Sunset and Derpy curiously as Spitfire landed with three dizzy looking fillies on her back with giant grins. Sunset and Derpy had hinted at Starlight liking me back and I wanted to figure it out for myself.

“She’s talking to Sunburst in the castle,” Sunset answered as she pointed a hoof at the castle. “It’s not far.” Starlight and Sunset had apparently forgot they met in the past when they were fillies. Granted, they were super young at the time and it had only been a few times.

“Did you have fun?” Derpy asked as she knelt down in front of the three grinning fillies.

“Flying is awesome!” Diamond cheered as she blushed. “I mean, it was cool.” We all chuckled as Sunset smirked.

“Flying is fun,” Sunset readily admitted. “Spits used to fly me around on her back all the time.”

“Spitfire preened my wings,” Scootaloo announced and edged closer to Sunset. “You told me to tell you if anyone did that and well someone did. Are you gonna beat her up?”

“Spitfire doesn’t count. Spitfire is technically you’re sister so she’s allowed. She knows more about taking care of you wings than I do,” Sunset said sheepishly before laughing and slapping Spitfires flank with her hoof. “And based on how toned these flanks are, she’d most likely win. Bet ya Soarin is chasing after them every day.” I snickered myself as Spitfire glared at Sunset.

“Touch my flank like that again and injured or not, I will break every bone in your body.”

“Geez,” Sunset scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “How is Soarin anyway? It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him, High Winds and Surprise.”

“They’re fine,” Spitfire grumbled as she joined us after we started trotting again. “Where’s the pacifist?”

“Inside the castle,” I said and stood on my hind legs with a grin. “Where the Great and Powerful Trixie shall proclaim her love of Starlight and get her mare!”

“Uh huh,” Spitfire smirked and rolled her eyes. “Good luck. Hopefully you two can beat some sense into Princess Twilight.”

“Sunset can!” Silver Spoon proclaimed proudly. “She’s strong and fast.”

“She’s also injured,” Spitfire pointed out flatly. “I will give you this, she can lay down the hurt when necessary. Why do you think I was always a bit wary of her hooves when we fought? She’s the only unicorn I know who uses her hooves just as much as she uses magic in fights.”

“She used to be a scary bully but now she’s awesome,” a lavender unicron with a exploding firework cutie mark admitted and made a circle in the dirt with her hoof. “I need to talk to Cadence, anybody know where she is?”

“Castle I would assume,” Sunset shrugged and grinned mischievously. “Got a romance problem for the Princess of Love, Lavender?”

“You wish,” Lavender snorted and rolled her eyes. “After my last relationship, I’ll pass on romance for a bit. See ya!” The mare took off in the direction of the castle with probably the biggest grin I’ve ever seen on a pony.

“I’m taking Scootaloo up to discuss her wings,” Spitfire said and glanced at dark pink earth pony. “If that’s alright with you of course.”

“Go for it,” the mare waved a hoof. “Just be careful and don’t let her fall. Watch her at all times or I’ll find you.”

“You got it Miss,” Spitfire nodded as Sunset levitated Scootaloo onto Spitfires back and the two took off.

“I’d love to stay but I have a mare to confront!” I exclaimed as I galloped to the castle.

I trotted down the hallways quietly in case Flurry Heart was asleep. I really didn’t want to wake up the foal, especially after she got out in Ponyville and almost blew me away with a sneeze.

“Thanks for staying Starlight.” My ears flicked as I picked up Sunburst talking in a room nearby. “I really appreciate it.”

“Oh it’s nothing,” Starlight laughed as I rolled my eyes. I had a bouquet of purple flowers held in my magic that I knew were Starlights favorite. I didn’t know what they were but I remember her pointing them out when we got off the train.

“You’ll always be my friend, right?” Sunburst asked and I raised an eyebrow as I reached out a hoof to open the door.

“Right,” Starlight said in confusion. “Why?” I faintly heard a weird noise as I opened the door and my eyes widened at the sight of the two kissing. I dropped the flowers as Starlight stared at me and pushed Sunburst away.

“Trixie! This isn’t what it looks like!” Starlight said hastily as I turned away and ran down the hall. I don’t know when I left the castle but I faintly identified the hooves of Starlight chasing after me. “Trixie wait!”

I ignored her and kept running as it got hard to see. I vaguely made out Sunset and Derpy giving us concerned looks as I galloped to the train station and skidded to a stop at the booth panting.

“Lead the Great and Powerful Trixie on, hmph!” I grumbled and stared at the confused looking stallion behind the counter. “A ticket to anywhere but here please.”

“Where to?” He asked and turned to a book.

“What part of anywhere but here did you not get?” I snapped angrily as hooves approached me. “Canterlot, Manehattan, Trottingham or Appaloosa, I don’t care!”

“Trixie wait!” Sunset called out and I spun around. She, Octavia, Derpy, Starlight and Sunburst stood behind me nervously. “Hear Starlight out.”

“No. She lead the Great and Powerful Trixie on. You two lied to me!” I snarled and a few other ponies on the platform stepped back nervously. “She was kissing your brother. I don’t need ponies that lie to me in my life.”

“I didn’t kiss him Trixie!” Starlight said nervously and stepped forward. “He kissed me, I didn’t kiss him. I was about to push him away as you opened the door. I told him it wouldn’t work out and we were friends. I like you.” She jammed a hoof into my chest.

“She’s telling the truth love,” Octavia announced and stepped forward nervously. “Trust me, I’d know if she wasn’t.”

“We didn’t lie to you either,” Derpy said quietly. “We wouldn’t do that. That would be mean.”

“I’ve liked you since I first met you,” Starlight wrapped a hoof around my neck. “I may not have been the greatest at telling you because I was afraid you’d leave. Make sense?” I nodded as she rubbed my cheek with a hoof. “Ready to go back to our room?”

“Yeah,” I muttered and pressed my ears against my head. “So uh what does this mean?”

“We’re dating if you still like me of course,” Starlight promised as her muzzle hovered inches from mine.

“Yes,” I said instantly and turned faintly red as Sunset chuckled. I gave Sunburst a look out of the corner of my eye and he nodded at me with a grin.

“Excellent!” Starlight removed her hoof and clapped her hooves together excitedly. “Now don’t move.”

“Why?” I asked worriedly as Starlight grinned.

“For this,” she answered as my anger turned to confusion.

I was about to ask for what when she kissed me and my eyes slightly widened. It was sloppy but who cares? I was kissing Starlight for Celestias sake.

“Now let’s get back,” Starlight whispered with a wink as we separated and a strand of saliva broke as she leaned close to my ear. “Where you and I are going to have a long night.”

She trotted away and flicked her tail seductively as I gulped and eagerly followed her.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Spitfire

I gave my wings a few flaps and glided on the breeze as Scootaloo tightened her hold on my neck as she peered over my head. It was slightly awkward having a filly on my back. Most times I allowed this was at picture takings after shows or when our worlds Scootaloo needed a flight to Rainbows.

I landed on a cloud and waited for Scootaloo to hop off onto it. She looked around as I rolled my eyes in slight frustration.

“Well?” I asked as I tilted my head to look at her. “Are you getting off me or what?”

“Off on to what?” Scootaloo asked incredulously as she looked at the cloud. “You mean the cloud? I’ll fall through, are you insane?”

I rolled my eyes and shoved her off my back as she screamed, closing her eyes as I watched and waited with an amused smirk. She quit screaming after a few moments and opened her eyes slowly.

“I-I’m not dead?”

“No,” I shook my head. “You’re a pegasus. You can walk on clouds. It’s how we can push clouds. We can also make them in factories, along with snow and all other types of weather.” If getting her on the cloud was this hard, teaching her to fly would be almost impossible.

“You could have told me this before you threw me,” Scootaloo fumed and gave me a flat look. “Why are we up on a cloud?”

“The difference between pegasi and the other breeds of ponies is we could stay up here in our cloud cities without ever needing to come to ground,” I explained as I gazed at the horizon. “It’s what makes a pegasus a pegasus. We are naturally free spirits. Most of us prefer the sky to live in because it’s all we known. We pride our selves on being self dependent.”

“Isn’t that a bit arrogant?” Scootaloo asked curiously.

“It is yes,” I admitted and stomped a hoof down. “It’s gotten better in the past thousand years but I can think of a few ponies who are still thinking that way.”

“Interesting,” Scootaloo mused as I turned around with my back to her and looked down. I always loved the clouds. It was one of the few places I could go my siblings couldn’t.

“Hey!” I snapped as I glanced back at Scootaloo nearing the edge. “Get the buck away from the edge unless you wanna learn how to fly the crows way, kid!”

Scootaloo hastily stepped back till she ran into my chest and looked up at me staring down at her sternly. I’d rather not have a filly die on my watch.

“Oops?”

I tossed a look over my shoulder at the smaller pegasus rising and falling as she struggled to keep up. I glanced down at Sunset galloping under me in the field with Sunburst in the distance and I grinned faintly at them.

“Alright let’s land,” I called out and Scootaloo gave a grateful nod as we looped around and landed in front of Sunset. I’d been teaching Scootaloo how to fly for the past few hours.

Not many ponies get flight lessons from me so it was a bit weird at first. Sunset gave a faint smile as she nodded at me.

“Thanks for teaching her Spits,” Sunset gave me a mischievous grin as I rolled my eyes. I hated that nickname as a filly. Only her and Sunburst were allowed to call me that.

“No problem. She’s a fast learner.”

“So when you gotta leave?” Scootaloo asked curiously as I patted her on the head. “Can we fly some more?”

“I gotta get back tonight,” I answered as her face fell. “I have a lot of work to at HQ. I left Fleetfoot and Soarin in charge. Hopefully they didn’t burn the place to the ground.”

“Here,” Sunset said and levitated some saddlebags onto my back. “It has an enchanted book so you can communicate with me. Sunburst has one too.”

“Thanks,” I said and shifted the bags so they sat more comfortably under my wings. “You are coming back, right?” While I was still slightly mad at her for being a bully and all that, she was still my sister.

“What, you gonna miss me?” Sunset teased with a grin.

“Shush,” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “I’ll see you around Sunset. You too Sunburst and Scootaloo.” I extended my wings and crouched to take off and started trotting when an light blue glow surrounded me and yanked me. Sunset gave me a mischievous grin as she spun me around and stood up on her hind legs.

“You’re not going without hugging me,” Sunset snickered as her grin grew. With a frustrated sigh, I stood up on my own hind legs and hugged her. “And say I love you.”

“I’m going to beat you.”

“That sounds like the opposite of love to me,” Sunburst quipped with a grin and I shifted my glare to him.

“Fine,” I groaned and sighed. “I love you.”

“Love ya too sis,” Sunset sighed as she let me go and we dropped to all fours. “Say hi to Soarin and the others for me.”

“I will,” I promised as I took off and gave her a quick smile. I took off and glanced back at the three waving before turning around and trotting off. I shifted my focus ahead as I flew.

I lost track of how long I was flying as Wonderbolt HQ came into site. I was easily flying for hours, at least three. I landed on the cloud and shook some rain off my wings and trotted inside.

“Hey Spitfire,” Soarin waved a wing as he and Fleetfoot met me in the locker room. “Have a good flight?”

“Yeah.”

“And what about your family?” Fleetfoot questioned as I glanced at her.

“It was fine. Sunset says hi by the way Soarin.”

“Still can’t believe I met your sister without knowing you two were related. I didn’t know she knew about me either,” Soarin muttered as I shrugged.

“Sunset always was a smart one,” I commented with a faint smile. “Still is.”

“We’ll get the recruits lined up for a night flight,” Fleetfoot said with a salute.

“Good. I’m glad you two didn’t burn down the place in my absence.”

“Haha,” Soarin rolled his eyes as he and Fleetfoot filed out the room.

I looked back and forth to make sure I was alone before opening my locker and placed the enchanted book with my cutie mark on it on the top shelf. My eyes flicked over to a picture of me, Sunset and Sunburst when we were cutie markless.

I pressed my hoof to it and sighed before removing my hoof, slamming my locker shut.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Sunset

I yawned softly as I packed up some of my souvenirs Derpy and I had bought while here into to my saddlebags. I had enchanted my saddlebags so they turned into a backpack once I went through the portal.

“Have you thought about my offer?” I jumped slightly and glanced at the door. Princess Cadence stood in the doorway and I nodded.

“No,” I admitted and shrugged my saddlebags on. “Can I get a bit longer to decide to just up and join the Royal Guard?”

“Yes,” Cadence said instantly as Flurry Heart waddled in. “You’ll be saved a leader ship spot. Your sister, Spitfire is already training recruits. She actually recommended you for the job, you know.”

“Spitfire shows her love in a different way than others do,” I chuckled. “I can believe that. I hope we see each other again Cadence.”

“As do I.” I made eye contact with the princess and bowed my head slightly.

“May we meet again.”

“May we meet again?” Cadence asked in confusion.

“It’s a thing in a TV show Derpy and I like,” I explained with a smirk. “Character’s say it when they are about to die, risk their life and don’t know if they will ever see someone again.”

“Ah I see,” Cadence nodded slowly. “May we meet again.”

“We will.” Cadence levitated a cotton ball in and jammed it in my cheek. “What the fuck?”

“Twilight wants to do a DNA test,” Cadence said sheepishly as she put it in a test tube. “She’s testing to see if you’re related to any of us but don’t tell her I said that.”

“You could have asked,” I grumbled and rubbed my jaw. Cadence hid a laugh behind a hoof.

“Sorry Sunset.”

I yawned as I rested my head on Derpys as she snored. It was late as hell and the train was putting the rest of us to sleep, except me and Lavender. We were over halfway to Ponyville. I had already spent an hour talking with Sunburst. He was super difficult to say goodbye to.

“Hey Sunset?” Lavender said as I glanced over at her. My fellow unicorn propped her head up with hooves as her tail flicked back and forth as she looked eagerly out the window as the rocks sped past us. “You ever miss your family when you leave?”

“Yeah all the time,” I admitted as I shifted slightly under Derpys wing. “Why?”

“Just curious,” Lavender answered as she yawned. “Equestria is nice. Cadence is nice too.”

“Yeah she is,” I agreed with a faint smile. “I’m going to sleep. I’ll see you when we get to Ponyville.” Lavender chuckled and stayed quiet as I wrapped my tail around Derpys and fell asleep.

I don’t know how long I was asleep as I felt me being moved and faint voices. I shifted closer into the mane of some pony and snored softly.

“That’s adorable,” Octavia giggled as I shifted again. “Wake up Sunset.”

“I so have to get a picture of this!” Aunt Cherry snickered as I made out a camera being pressed and I opened my eyes. I stared at the dark pink coat and light pink mane of the pony I vaguely identified as Mom.

“Hello,” Mom snickered as I slid off her back. “We couldn’t get you to wake up so I just carried you off the train to the castle. Let’s get you home.” I nodded briefly and my horn flashed. I didn’t know the if the spell was still cast to let Rainbow and the others see us but better to be safe than sorry.

“Actually we have something to talk about with you all,” Adagio announced and we all looked at the three sirens. “We’re not coming with you.”

“What?” Lyra demanded as she glared at them. “What do you mean?”

“What she means is she wants to stay with Twilight,” Aria explained as she scuffed a hoof on the ground. “I’m joining the Royal Guard.”

“And these ponies really need to know the wonders of tacos!” Sonata exclaimed happily.

“We are forever in your debt,” Adagio admitted and looked at me. “Especially you. You believed in us when the school hated us.”

“This isn’t goodbye,” Sonata chimed in as I hugged Adagio. Sonata seemed surprisingly serious for once. “It’s just goodbye till next time. We will see each other again.”

“She’s right,” Aria added. “I’m being assigned to look into the assassination threat on Twilight. This isn’t the end. We hope you will come visit us four.”

“Wait four?” Lightning echoed as we all looked at each other in confusion as Lavender coughed and we stared at her.

“I’m staying too,” Lavender admitted sheepishly.

“What would Trixie, Fuchsia and Cloudkicker think?” I demanded.

“You have to tell them for me,” Lavender grabbed my hooves and held them. “Fighting the changelings was well terrifying. I’ve never been so scared in my life. But it’s a simple life here. I love Equestria. We’ve dealt with a cyber bully, a powered up Twilight and a changeling invasion together. We won’t stop being friends because of where we are. It’s why I was talking to Cadence. She and the others gave me a house in Ponyville along with a shop in town to sell my fireworks.”

“You’re our family,” Adagio pressed a hoof into my chest. “We will always be. But this is where we belong. I know we will see each other again. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Ow!” We all laughed as Adagio rubbed her eye in pain and I wiped a tear away from my own eyes.

“May we meet again,” Aria bowed her head slightly. One by one we hugged them as I gazed at Lavender. “This isn’t the end of our story. We’ll be back for Camp Everfree.”

“Take care of yourselves love,” Octavia whispered as she hugged Sonata. “We’re a book away.”

“As for that,” Sonata chimed in. “We have our own books to give you all. If you ever need us, you know where to find us. And how to contact us.” The three sirens pushed a bunch of books our way with our names on it as we accepted them.

“Kick some ass for me,” Lightning hoof bumped Aria. “Only way you know how.”

“Lavender,” I hugged her and pressed my horn to hers. “Forgive me.”

“For what?” Lavender asked curiously as she hugged me back as I made out a sniffling sound coming from her.

“For this,” I said and cast a sleeping spell on her as she went limp and started snoring in my hooves. “Cloudkicker would never allow her to stay. She told me to look after her.” The others angry faces turned to understanding as I carried Lavender through the portal. I hated doing this to her but well I hope she will understand.

Damn you Cloudkicker.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Rarity

My eyes widened slightly as Lightning, Lyra and a few other people fell ontop of Rainbow, Cloudkicker and Roseluck. The rainbow haired athlete groaned as Lightning sheepishly yanked her hand out of Rainbows skirt.

“Sorry!” Lightning yelped nervously. “Didn’t mean to you know.”

“I know,” Rainbow grunted as we all stared in shock at Sunset stepped through with one hand under a snoring Lavenders head and her other hand under her legs.

“What the hell happened to her?” Cloudkicker snapped as she climbed to her feet and pressed a hand to Lavenders head.

“You have to ask her,” Sunset said softly as she stared at Lavender snoring quietly. She looked peaceful. “And make sure she doesn’t hate me, please.” Cloudkicker nodded with a confused expression as she took her sleeping cousin in her arms and grunted as she walked away to her car.

“I got her!” Cloudkicker called out as Blossomforth opened the passenger door.

“You are so awesome!” Rainbow squealed as she hugged Sunset and made the face she made when she told Princess Twilight she was awesome.

“What do you mean?” Sunset asked in confusion as I hugged Octavia.

“Your fight with Buggy was awesome!” Rainbow shouted with a grin as I winced.

“You saw that? How?” Sunset questioned as she slipped out of Rainbows hug.

“The closest we could figure out was the magic of the portal kept it going,” Twilight explained as she examined the blank statue.

“The author originally planned on you to win the fight but he realized that would show his bias to you and he wanted to show that you can’t always win them all!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hugged Sunset and lifted her up. “Maybe you will next time!”

“What are you talking about Pinkie?” Sunset asked as we all stared as Pinkie set her down and shrugged.

“Nothing!” Pinkie said innocently as she whistled. Fluttershy approached Sunset and stared at her before slapping her across the face as we all gasped.

“What the hell?” Berry Punch demanded angrily as Fluttershy hugged a stunned Sunset.

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again!” Fluttershy sobbed as Sunset hesitantly hugged her back. “I thought you were going to die when you and her fought.”

“I’m not dead,” Sunset reassured Fluttershy as I watched and cast a critical eye over her and Derpy. “Don’t worry.”

“You could have been darling,” I admitted and stepped forward. “Please do be careful.”

“Ya need help on ya leg?” Applejack asked worriedly and looked Sunset up and down. “Ah think Ah got crutches still when Bloom broke her ankle runnin in the fields.”

“I’m fine,” Sunset grunted out and turned faintly red. Presumably from the attention as I hid a laugh behind my hand. “Thank you for the concern. Derpy already threatened to hurt me if I ever did something reckless like that without help again.”

“Wait,” Roseluck raised a hand as she lifted up a exhausted Silver Spoon and set her down so she could get up. “Where’s Adagio, Sonata and Aria?” Sunset and the others faces fell as they looked away.

“They stayed behind,” Bon Bon said quietly as she tied her boots. “Aria joined the Royal Guard, Sonata is opening a taco stand and Adagio is living with Twilight.”

A stunned silence fell over us as I sighed. We all looked at each other as Cherry Berry kicked her boot along the ground nervously.

“We never got to say goodbye,” Rainbow said quietly and stared wistfully at the statue.

“I know,” Lyra admitted and patted her on the shoulder. “They left us all books for us to talk to them. They left some for you guys as well.”

“I so need to design your two wedding dresses!” I exclaimed as Sunset and Derpy stared at me. “Come by later after you two are all rested up and we will get you two squared away!”

“Woah wait what?” Berry Punch demanded as she gazed at me. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh nothing!” I whistled innocently and winked at a blushing Sunset.

I sat with my legs folded underneath me as Sunset’s sisters played with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom in the next room. Mainly Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle going on about how cute the three girls looked as ponies.

“Fluttershy was right you know,” I said casually as the rest of the Rainbooms glanced over at me. Sunset’s other friends were at their houses asleep. Going through portals was exhausting and so were late night trains. “I was afraid I’d watch you die.”

“Sorry,” Sunset said sheepishly as she stretched out on her fiery sleeping bag and a book vibrated next to her.

“Don’t be,” Applejack squeezed her shoulder. “Ya were fightin for your home. Ah would have done the same.”

“I’m sorry for slapping you,” Fluttershy whispered and brushed some pink hair out of her eyes. “Really sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Sunset grinned as she opened the book and wrote something. “I think my fear of making you mad just grew by a million percent.”

“Who you talking to now?” Rainbow asked curiously as she peeked over Sunset’s shoulder.

“Spitfire. We’ve been talking back and forth all night.”

I started putting away my design books and cleaning up my desk. I’d spent hours designing Sunset and Derpys wedding dresses. Even if they weren’t getting married until a long time, still felt exciting to create something.

“Still can’t believe Spitfire is your older sister,” Rainbow said as she slid back to the TV in my room and resumed her video game. “Did you two actually fight as kids?”

“Yes.”

A loud snoring sound came from Pinkie as she squeezed her alligator plush and she kicked her leg a bit as we all laughed.

“Wanna play cards against humanity?” Rainbow asked suddenly with a mischievous grin. “We haven’t played since I introduced you to it Sunset. You should honestly bring it to Equestria for your class reunion.”

“I’m going to regret this but let’s play,” I sighed and rolled my eyes as Rainbow pulled the deck out of her backpack.

“I missed you all by the way,” Sunset said after a moment of silence. “Thank you for not coming to Equestria to try to stop Chrysalis. I’d have been mad. You made the right decision keeping this world safe. It’s what I’d have told you to do.”

“We know darling. We missed you too.”

We all group hugged her minus a snoring Pinkie as I sighed contently.

Chapter Thirty

Sunset

With a yawn, I rolled over in my sleeping and accidentally crushing a pop can in the process. Why I had a pop can in my sleeping bag, I’ll never know but I blame Rainbow or Vinyl. I reached over and grabbed my book, opening it while grabbing a pen.

Morning! I waited and smirked as I came up with multiple responses Spitfire could come up with, each more angry than the last. The book vibrating in my hands shifted my attention from my daydreaming.

Why the buck are you so chipper? I snickered as I rolled my eyes before writing a response.

Why not?

Good reason. Your friend Aria annoys me. She’s got an attitude problem. She won’t get far in the Guard with an attitude like that. I grinned as I tapped my pen against my chin.

Yeah she always had a problem with authority. I gotta make breakfast, I’ll let you have fun beating up recruits. Have a good day. The book vibrated practically instantly.

You too. I closed the book with a smile and slipped out of the bag, stretching as I noticed Applejack was missing. I stepped over a snoring Rainbow as I made my way to the door. I opened the bedroom door quietly to not wake up the towers and slipped down the stairs.

“Mornin sugarcube!” I jumped slightly and stared at Applejack and Apple Bloom in the kitchen with various pots and bowls.

“Morning,” I yawned as I stepped inside the kitchen. “I forgot you two are always the first ones up.”

“Farm life,” Apple Bloom said simply with a grin as she poured batter into a pan. “How ya want your pancakes?”

“Got any strawberries and blueberries?” I asked hopefully as Applejack nodded.

“Bloom and I ran to the store while yall were asleep. Ya like it with cut apples on top, right?”

“Right.” Sweetie Belle grabbed my hand before I could offer to help and dragged me to the table.

“Hi!” Sweetie Belle grinned as she sat down across from me and smoothed down her white pajamas.

“Uh good morning?” I offered as I rubbed my eyes. We had been up late playing inappropriate adult card games, which mainly consisted of Rarity and Fluttershy looking green. “What’s up?”

“Not much,” Sweetie Belle waved a hand as she leaned in close. “Tell me about Equestria.”

“What do you wanna know?” I asked with a faint smirk.

“Absolutely everything.”

“So what kind of car were you thinking?” Mom asked curiously as I relaxed in the passenger seat. I’d gotten my driver’s license recently and saved for a few months to get enough money to buy a car.

“I don’t know,” I admitted as I glanced out the window. “I have a lot of friends so maybe a cheap suv?”

“You’re not gonna find a suv for cheap unless something is seriously wrong with it,” Rainbow commented from the backseat. Rainbow, Lightning, Octavia and my Aunt Cherry somehow all squeezed into the backseat.

“She’s right,” Mom chimed in as we pulled into a car lot. “My first car was a nineteen ninety Ford Mustang. You remember that car Cherry?”

“Yeah, how could I forgot?” Aunt Cherry scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “It had the worst exhaust and brakes loudest ever.” We all stepped out of the car as Mom pocketed the keys and I glanced around.

“It got me around,” Mom shrugged as we glanced at a white Dodge. “Can’t start with the best.”

“At least Rarity isn’t here,” Rainbow quipped with a frown. “She’s the worst person to go car shopping with. Applejack is probably the best. All she cares about if it gets her where she has to go.”

“I still say you should get a motorcycle,” Lightning grumbled as she stared at a motorcycle. “There’s a Kawasaki Ninja. I love mine. Good learner bike, fun to ride and pretty zippy.”

“This is pretty nice,” I said and approached a blue Ford Explorer. “Looks like an ex cop car based on the words interceptor on the hood. Only eight thousand too.”

“The shade of blue is pretty nice love,” Octavia agreed as the others joined me. Lightning and Rainbow sat on the ground and slid under the car.

“Got new brakes,” Lightning called out with a grunt.

“Looks like it has a leaky gas line though,” Rainbow commented as the two slid out and stood up. “Easily fixable though. My car had that. Big Mac and AJ fixed it up in a few hours.”

“What does that mean?” I asked curiously. I knew Lightning knew a lot about cars because of her mechanic job but I didn’t know about Rainbow.

“You’ll only be able to hold half a tank of gas unless it’s fixed,” Rainbow explained as she wiped her hands on her jeans. “I got a Charger and mine had that issue.”

“There’s a z twenty eight over,” Octavia pointed to a yellow camaro with racing stripes as we all gave her stunned looks. “What? Dad has a garage of classic muscle cars.”

“Never pegged you as a car person,” Rainbow muttered as I ran a hand on the hood of the Ford.

“I’m more than meets the eye love,” Octavia smirked mischievously as I snickered.

“I like this one,” I announced and Mom nodded. “Has plenty of room and doesn’t have too many miles based on the sign in the window.”

“Okay,” Mom nodded. “Wait here and I’ll go get a sales person. Thank god we didn’t go to Flim and Flams. Those two are practically scammers.”

I had to agree with that statement. I’ve only met them a few times and well, scammer was practically a compliment for them. Lightning leaned against the car and closed her eyes.

“Think Lavender is pissed?” Rainbow asked curiously as she broke the silence.

“I don’t know,” I grimaced slightly. “We will find out tomorrow.” We had texted a bit but it’s hard to gauge someone’s feelings through text. I’d find out tomorrow at school. And just hope to Celestia it doesn’t go poorly.

Mom returned with a saleswoman and she gestured for me to follow her as we walked inside.

Chapter Thirty Two

Fuchsia

I followed Rainbow and a struggling Lavender as I continued dragging a stunned Trixie behind me. Rainbow pushed open the roof door with her back and gently dropped Lavender down on the ground.

“Talk some sense into her wouldja?” Rainbow paused as she glanced over at us. “She and Cloudkicker got into it pretty bad in the hallway.”

“We will try,” I promised as Rainbow disappeared into the school. Typically I would avoid her but Lavender was worth associating with Rainbow Dash, even temporarily. Trixie slipped out of my grip as we looked at each other.

Lavender was staring at the sun as she sat with her legs tucked under herself as we hesitantly approached her. Being on the receiving end of her anger is never a fun thing. Trixie elbowed me as I sighed in frustration. I was often asked to deal with the more delicate situations.

“Hey Lavender,” I forced a smile as my friends narrowed eyes flicked to me as we sat on either side of her. “How are you?”

“Fine. How was Manhattan?”

“It was good,” I admitted as I searched through my bag. “Here it is!” I handed her a model police car, hat and a shirt.

“What is this?” Lavender asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s a model police car for you model collection. It’s a nineteen eighty nine Chevy Caprice. The shirt and hat we got you from the nine eleven museum!” Trixie proclaimed quietly. “The hat is a NYPD hat and the shirt has the towers along with never forget.”

“And nine eleven two thousand and one,” I added on as Lavender unfolded the shirt and smiled faintly.

“Thanks,” Lavender placed the hat on her head and hugged the shirt. “This had to have cost a lot. Maybe next time I’ll go with.”

“You’re worth it,” I cut Trixie off as she closed her mouth and glared at me. “So you uh tried to buy a house in Equestria?”

“I was given one,” Lavender corrected as she pulled her shirt off and I blushed faintly at her light pink undergarments. “And a store to sell my fireworks out of. I still have them, Sea Swirl is looking after them for me. If you two come with, we have a place to stay whenever we visit.”

“They just give out houses there?” Trixie asked in surprise. Lavender shrugged before she pulled her new shirt on and admired herself in her phones camera.

“They don’t normally but Twilight covered the costs along with Cadence. It’s in the countryside on a hill overlooking town,” Lavender said as I reached out and pulled the size tag off her shirt. “I met Trixie’s counterpart.”

“What was she like?” Trixie asked curiously as she put a hat on herself. “Was she just as great and powerful as me?”

“Yeah,” Lavender chuckled as we stared down into the school yard. “She lives in a wagon, has a girlfriend that Sunset and Derpy helped her get with. She’s a bit less arrogant but you’re a unicorn in Equestria. So am I and I’d be willing to bet Fuchsia is too.”

“Trixie will ignore that arrogant remark.”

“Never knew you swung that way,” I hid a grin behind my hand as Trixie turned red.

“Trixie is straight she’ll have you know,” Trixie glowered at us. “Are you still mad at Sunset?”

“No. Never was,” Lavender narrowed her eyes as I resisted the urge to facepalm. “I’m mad at Cloudkicker. I kicked her out of my apartment the other night after a fight. The neighbors also called the police because they thought Brawly and I was fighting.”

“Damn,” I mused as shrugged and pulled off my own shirt, exposing my yellow undergarment.

“Uh what are you doing?” Lavender asked with a blush as she rolled her eyes. “You’re in public.”

“You did it!” I shot back as I pulled my own matching shirt on and glanced at Trixie’s dress. “Yeah uh you can’t wear shirts because of the dress but maybe tomorrow?”

“Nonsense!” Trixie exclaimed and slid out of her dress as I averted my eyes. What is with people stripping on the roof? Trixie slipped on matching black leggings and a shirt. “You can look now.”

“God help us all,” I muttered and stretched. “Hope no one saw us.”

“Who cares?” Lavender challenged as she stood up and struck a pose that emphasized her waistline with her hand on her hip. “I got good genes and we’re three attractive girls.” A dress was tossed into her face as she blinked. “Well played.”

“Thank you,” Trixie said as she picked up her dress and stuffed it into her dress. “Now let’s get to class. We can go to Fuchsia’s house later and raid her snacks.”

“I’m down!” Lavender grinned wickedly ad I groaned.

“Fine.”

I plopped down on the couch and tossed a chip in my mouth as I picked up the TV remote and started searching through channels. I heard faint laughter come from the kitchen and a door slamming shut.

“Don’t stay up too late dear!” Mom called down the stairs. “You four got school tomorrow.”

“Okay mom!” I called back as I winced at the now arguing over whether original oreos or vanilla oreos were better came from the kitchen. Mom or Tender Care as she was more commonly known nodded as she shut her bedroom door. Dad was already at the hospital working. “Hey sis.”

“Oh uhm hey,” Wallflower jumped from her spot where she stroked a cactus. How she could do that without getting pricked, I’ll never know. “I didn’t think you knew I was here.”

“Kinda hard not to notice that messy green hair you got going on.”

Wallflower blushed and rolled her eyes as she picked up her watering can and dumped some water in the soil of her plant.

“I am going to buy a house, fill it full of vanilla oreos and you won’t be able to say shit about it!” Trixie snarled as she and Lavender sat next to me on either side of me.

“Do it then! Don't fucking tell me, do it!” Lavender growled as she stirred her oreos into her milk. “They don’t compare to original.”

“Can I have oreos with milk?” Wallflower asked hopefully as we all glanced at her. Trixie shoved her drink into my hand.

“Yes! Trixie will turn Wallflower into a vanilla oreo lover!” Trixie proclaimed proudly and took off to the kitchen. Lavender glared at her and shoved her drink into my free hand.

“Like hell you will!” Lavender grumbled and chased after her.

With a sigh, I set their individual drinks down and stole an oreo from each cup with a faint smirk. I personally prefer mint oreos but who cares.

“I’m not going to get my drink anytime soon am I?” Wallflower asked as we winced at the arguing in the kitchen.

“Probably not, no.”

Chapter Thirty Three

Octavia

I gently dusted the piano in the corner as I observed Diamond wiping off some wood instruments in the corner. A dinging noise over the door leading into the instrument shop my family owned made us look over as Lightning and Rainbow grinned at us.

“Hey Tavi!” Lightning called out as I walked to the counter with Diamond and we stood behind it. “Yo Diamond.”

“Hello loves,” I smiled and dusted my light pink skirt off before frowning slightly at the oil on my white socks. “What can we do for you?”

“Need our guitars repaired,” Rainbow said sheepishly as the two held up their damaged guitars. “You can do that here, right?”

“Yes,” I answered as I cast a critical eye at them. “Pray tell, what did happen to them?”

“So we were playing right?”

“Yes.”

“And we really got into it.”

“Mhm.”

“And we smashed our guitars like it was a rock concert,” Rainbow finished as I facepalmed. “Yeah.”

“Sunset and Trixie didn’t smash theirs if that makes you feel better,” Lightning offered sheepishly.

“No it does make me feel better!” I fumed angrily. “You should treat your instruments with love and respect! They are as innocent as a snowflake or a newborn puppy who hasn’t opened their eyes yet!”

Rainbow and Lightning gave each other looks as they slowly started edging to the door as I continued my rant. Diamond propped herself up with a hand on the counter as I took a deep breath.

“You’re very poetic when mad,” Diamond noted as I glanced down at her. “Also they left about twenty minutes ago. I tried to warn you but you didn’t hear me.

“I’ve been told that I am very interesting when upset,” I admitted and adjusted my pink bow tie. “And don’t worry, I have their cards on file the last time they brought their instruments here to be repaired.”

Diamond merely nodded as she wiped the counter off and I placed the guitars in the back. Those two were always bringing their broken guitars in here.

“Thanks for letting me help around your moms shop,” Diamond said finally from her spot on the ground behind the counter. “Scootaloo was driving me nuts.”

“Not a problem love,” I waved a hand with a smile. I knew all about loud family members, I’m related to Pinkie after all. Most people are startled by that fact. Even more so than Maud being Pinkies sister. The bell chimed and I gazed with narrowed eyes. “Stay down.”

“Why?” Diamond asked nervously.

“Your mother is here,” I said quietly as Diamond gave me a confused look.

“You mean the school one?”

“No the other one,” I clarified and gently shoved her head down. “Stay quiet and don’t make a sound. Hello love how can I help you!”

“I’m looking for a piece of piano music,” Spoiled said as I kept a neutral look. I didn’t like the woman after what Sunset had told me. “You have a wonderful shop.”

“Thank you,” I bowed my head slightly. “No offense meant but aren’t you supposed in jail?”

“I’m on bond,” Spoiled glared and slammed a hand on the counter as Diamond flinched. “More made up evidence is coming to light. My lawyers will get me out of this. I deserve it, after all I’ve done for this town.”

“You deserve something all right,” Diamond whispered and I gently nudged her with my shoe and she covered her mouth.

“I recognize you,” Spoiled said and folded her arms. “You’re friends with that little monster Sunset Shimmer and her gang of miscreants. I’ve heard rumors my ex daughters are running with that whelp.”

“Those miscreants are my friends love,” I said coldly and made eye contact. I may not like violence or use aggression to defend myself like Lightning or Sunset, but I’m more than capable of standing up for my self. “As is that whelp. And I have no knowledge if your family members are with her. Now kindly vacate the premise love or I ask the police for assistance in getting you out.”

“Hmph!” Spoiled scoffed as I picked up the phone for emphasis. “Your mother wouldn’t approve of you associating with them. Your social standing is most certainly taking hits from associating insignificant low lives.”

“Leave.” Diamonds eyes slightly widened at the cold tone of my voice as her mother retreated after she paid for her item. I watched her leave in a black limo as I gestured for Diamond to stand up.

“You’re awesome. You know that?” Diamond hugged my waist as I smiled faintly.

“I have been told something along those lines love,” I said smugly as I patted her head. “Just because I don’t use violence doesn’t mean I can’t stand up for myself.”

“Why isn’t she in jail?” Diamond wondered aloud as we listened to the soft jazz music we played on the shop radio. “Court cases are too tedious. Should just throw her in any way.”

“Due process and fair trial love,” I warned. “Law is the law after all, even for her. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property. Whereas the sixth amendment stipulates specific basic rights deriving from the general right to a fair trial in an enumerative manner.”

“I have no idea what you just said or what enumerative means,” Diamond admitted sheepishly after a few moments of silence.

“To count off or name one by one,” I clarified as I set my down on the counter. “You still aren’t allowed around your bio mother, correct?”

“Yes. Why?”

With a smug grin, I pointed to the cameras in the corner directly ahead of us. Diamonds eyes followed my finger and grinned back.

“Why did you agree to watch me?” Diamond asked curiously as I picked my phone up to text Cheerilee.

“I enjoy your company. Besides, Sunset asked me to so she could go to the movies and dinner with her mom. She deserves a night with her mother without loud children,” I said with a wink. I secretly hoped Diamond wasn’t going to ask anything else like the other classmates did.

Most of them asked if Sunset and I secretly had something going on due to us suddenly hanging out more around the school. Fighting off the changelings together would bring people together. Lyra and Vinyl had quickly shut down those rumors thankfully before Lightning could. Lightning would probably break their arms.

“Fair enough,” Diamond yawned as I smirked.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you to my house. Cheerilee wants you to spend the night with me. Scootaloo is with Lightning and Silver Spoon is with Fluttershy. We can do each others make up.”

“Epic!” Diamond squealed before she inhaled. “I mean sounds good.”

With a small laugh, she followed me outside as I shut the door and we started walking down the street. I had the feeling neither of us would be sleeping much tonight.

Chapter Thirty Four

Sunset

I leaned back on the couch as it threatened to swallow me. My dog jumped on me and I idly stroked it’s fur as Mom and I watched a movie.

“What are we even watching?” I asked as my dog licked my face and I grimaced. I already had a shower early this morning, I don’t need another.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Mom admitted with a sheepish look. “Something Minuette dropped off. Think it’s a old movie her dad liked. John Wayne or someone.”

We watched quietly as I tossed some popcorn into my mouth. I don’t even really understand what I’m watching and frankly, I don’t think mom does either. We just randomly found the disc already in the dvd player and was like screw it.

“Why exactly aren’t we in school?” I asked curiously as I glanced upstairs at the noise of Diamond and Apple Bloom arguing about God knows what.

“It’s Labor Day,” Mom said simply as she drank from her water glass. I straightened up as my eyes widened.

“Wait here!” I exclaimed as I stood up and grabbed my keys off the wall where we hang them up.

“Where are you going? The movie isn’t over,” Mom pointed out in confusion. I opened the door and glanced back at her.

“I’ll tell you later. Pause the movie for me. Oh and tell me what happened. Also get Aunt Berry to meet us at Applebees,” I shut the door before Mom could speak and I ran to my car.

I walked up and down the different stores of the mall with a bouquet held tightly in one arm as I stepped into a book store. I completely forgot it was Labor Day and I assume it’s like mothers day.

“Why do you have bouquets of flowers in a book store?” I jumped slightly and looked at Lightning standing in front of Lyra, Rainbow and Bon Bon.

“They’re a gift for Mom and Aunt Berry,” I explained as I picked up a book.

“Uh why?” Lyra asked as they followed me to the register and I handed the book to the bored looking kid. “It’s not Cheerilees birthday and mothers day is passed. Remember, I helped you decorate the house for Mothers Day.”

“It’s Labor Day so I assume it’s for mothers that like gave birth and shit,” I answered as Bon Bon bit her lip. “So I’m getting them stuff. What are you guys getting your moms?”

The four looked at each other and burst out laughing as I gave them confused looks. Rainbow wiped her eyes as she slowed down laughing.

“You actually think that’s what Labor Day means?” Rainbow asked with a grin as Bon Bon continued laughing.

“Well duh,” I rolled my eyes as Lyra started laughing harder and leaned against the register as I paid for my book. “I’d love to stay and chat but I have a restaurant to get to.”

“Pfft,” Rainbow slapped a hand over her mouth as Lightning sucked a breath in.

“Do you think we should tell her?” Lightning asked with a smirk.

“Tell me what?” I asked and tilted my head to the side as Rainbow used Bon Bon to keep herself up

“Nope we shouldn’t,” Lyra giggled as I rolled my eyes. “She will figure it out tonight.”

“Figure out what?” I demanded as I lost a bit of my already thin patience. The four girls burst out laughing again and laid on their backs as the guy behind the register smirked faintly. “Okay then.”

“Bye Sunset!” Bon Bon called out as she pushed her self up.

I sat quietly at my table as I waited for Mom and Aunt Berry to join me. I smoothed down my orange and red dress with a grin. I had to sneak into the house to put the damn thing on. Scootaloo, Silver and Diamond had asked me why I was dressing up and oddly laughed like my four other friends did.

“I feel underdressed,” Aunt Berry whispered as I took in her white shirt and jeans before glancing at moms black dress. “Hey Sunset.”

“Hey,” I said and shoved the flowers at them as they gave each other confused looks and sat across from me.

“What’s with the flowers?” Mom asked as she examined them. “It’s not my birthday until a few more months and it’s not mothers day.”

“It’s for Labor Day,” I explained. “Even though you didn’t you know, give birth to me and stuff, you’re still my mom. I have a few hundred fans, with the bands and stuff but I’m your biggest fan.” I leaned across the table and tapped moms chest for emphasis. Aunt Berry choked on her water as Mom laughed.

“You actually think Labor Day is for like moms?” Aunt Berry asked after she swallowed her water. “Sunset, it’s for workers. Like grocery stores and fire fighters and a bunch of other people.”

“Oh.”

“I appreciate the gesture,” Mom snickered as she pushed herself off the table. “Really, I do. But you didn’t have to do all this.”

“Now I know why Rainbow, the others and my sisters were laughing,” I grumbled with a bright red face. “I’ll never live this down.”

“Probably not for a while,” Aunt Berry snickered with a smirk. “But hey, Applebees is a nice place. And you did go crazy on mothers day for us both even if I’m not your mom.”

“True,” I mused as I gazed at the menu in front of me. I had taken the liberty of ordering us all waters.

“After this, we can come home and watch movies. We do have that John Wayne movie for finish,” Mom chuckled as Aunt Berry laughed.

“You guys actually are watching that? Wow. We didn’t expect that.”

“Yeah we got curious,” I admitted as a waiter started approaching us. “No offense to Aunt Minuette or Aunt Cherry, but John Wayne is the worst. The graphics aren’t good but spending time with mom is worth it.” Aunt Berry burst out laughing again as she glanced at her menu.

“I’ll be sure to keep your secret.”

I gave a grateful nod as we ordered. It was nice just the three of us. I should have invited Aunt Minuette and Aunt Cherry.

Chapter Thirty Five

Lightning

I leaned against my motorcycle on the highway with my phone pressed against my ear.

“Follow Spoiled Rich. Got it,” I said with a grin. “Yes Sunset, no killing. I wasn’t about to shoot her. Just because you have me impersonating a police officer as an intimidation factor doesn’t mean I’ll use my firearm.” It’s good to have friends in high places, especially since grocery stores sell air soft guns. And Coco may or may not have created a police bike uniform.

I glanced out as cars flew by and I spotted a black limo in the distance.

“Here she comes. I’ll call you after,” I said and hung up before climbing onto my bike, quickly putting my helmet on and kicking the kickstand up. I pushed the bike onto the highway behind the limo and grinned faintly to my self. “Always obey traffic laws. And don’t go on the shoulder.” I flicked the lights on as the limo pulled over and I quickly dismounted and kicked the kickstand down. I made sure my easily recognizable hair was hidden and approached the car.

“Hello officer,” the driver rolled down the passenger window after I knocked on it.

“Trooper Shadow with the Highway Patrol. I’m pulling you over because you crossed over on the shoulder and cut off a semi back there. License, registration and proof of insurance please,” I said sternly and pushed my cop glasses up. I actually really did want to be a cop so this was a dream come true.

“Here you go,” the man handed me the information as I glanced in the back. Spoiled glared back at me as she sipped a wine glass.

“What are you looking at?” Spoiled snapped angrily as I narrowed my eyes.

“Watch your tone. I can make this traffic stop into a whole scene if I want to,” I threatened. “Actually step out of the vehicle. Both of you.”

“Fine but I want a supervisor,” Spoiled grumbled as she and the driver got out.

“I am the supervisor,” I said gruffly as I forced Spoiled to put her hands on the back of the car. “Got anything on ya?”

“No,” she muttered as the driver started recording with his phone.

“Put that away sir!” I stepped away and placed my hand on my gun. “Just sit near my bike.”

“I’m recording if you assault Miss Rich,” the driver said and I rolled my eyes. I stepped forward and yanked the phone out of his hand, tossing it onto the highway where it got ran over by a truck.

“Oops,” I shrugged with a frown. “Guess you dropped it while driving. Now back to you.” I stepped back to Spoiled and started patting her down. I looked at the driver before slipping a gloved hand into my pocket and slipping a baggie in hers.

“Are you done yet? I have a manicure appointment to get to!”

“What’s this?” I asked and held up the baggie and shaking it for her to see. “Weed is illegal in Canterlot, unfortunately. Any amount is jail time.” I leaned in closer to her ear. “But I’m willing to let it slide if you do me a favor.”

“What?” Spoiled asked nervously as she glanced at me. I may have planted the drugs on her but I think she actually had some of hers in the car.

“Stay the fuck away from Diamond Tiara, stay away from Silver Spoon and Sunset. Or else,” I threatened angrily in a low tone. “I won’t kill you, I don’t do that unless the situation calls for. Which in my opinion it does, but I’m trying to be less violent. Don’t let me see you around Canterlot again, ya feel me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh and it’s illegal to have an open container in the vehicle. Even in the back where the driver can have easy access,” I said quietly with a smile. “It would be a shame to have your driver get in trouble. Then you would have to drive yourself around for once, you lazy fuck.”

“Hmph!” Spoiled grumbled as I gestured for them to get in car. “I’ll find a way.”

“What was that?” I demanded as I spun around. I tossed the papers into the passenger seat and they were shoved into the glove box.

“Nothing!” I narrowed my eyes more as she nervously got in the car. I faintly identified a highway patrol car on the median watching us and I ignored the sweat dripping off my chin. The driver pulled out onto the highway, quit recklessly in my opinion as the police car instantly pulled them back over as I laughed. Thank God he hadn’t been there when I threw the phone.

“Dumbasses,” I muttered as I watched the officer approaching the passenger side and pulled my phone out. “Hey, it’s me. It’s done. Meet me at Sugarcube Corner in a hour and a half so I get changed and rip the decals off my bike. And the police lights.”

“Oh you should have seen her!” I laughed and leaned back in my chair. “She looked like she was about to piss herself.”

“I hope you wouldn’t actually frame someone if you do become a police officer love,” Octavia frowned at me as she stirred her vanilla and oreo shake. “Most unbecoming.”

“Of course not!” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “I’m serious about joining one day. Did I ever tell you the time Aria and I hit a small store in town and donated all the money to charity?”

“No the fuck?” Rainbow demanded and glared at me.

“The point of the story is, sometimes it calls for doing what’s wrong to do what’s right. Sure, the charity we donated to most likely could have got the money but a kid needed that medicine. So we helped out so to speak,” I said and waved a hand dismissively. “Nobody was hurt. We specially tried to avoid hurting people. If that kid knew we played a part in saving his life, he’d be grateful. Do you really think his family cares where the money came from?”

“I guess not,” Sunset admitted with a blank expression. “I don’t like doing this. Felt wrong.” I agreed with her there. I always used to think wrong and right was a very grey area.

“I know,” I admitted. “Same here. This isn’t you know. While Spoiled is awful, she’s just a stuck up bitch. And I got to play police officer! Dream come true. If I never get to join, I’ll always have this memory. So thank you.”

“Do you think she took your warning seriously though?” Rainbow asked worriedly as she ate a cherry. “She has connections everywhere. Even though most abandoned her because of her child abuse case, money is a strong motivator.”

“I don’t know. I hope she did.” I had already told them about what I overheard Spoiled say before she got in the car. It was a bit worrying for us all. Especially Cheerilee and Sunset. Though if I was Spoiled, I’d think twice before messing with them. Sunset is pretty territorial about her family.

“Me too,” Sunset leaned forward in her chair. “If she even lays a finger on their heads, I’ll get violent and make sure she’s never found.”

“That’s my job,” I joked as we all laughed quietly. “Joking. I’m trying to be less aggressive.”

“You’re doing well so far love.”

My three companions nodded as I sighed contently. Maybe being a less grey area person and a better person wasn’t so bad after all. It worked for Sunset, it should work for me.

“Sooo,” Rainbow said with a grin. “Still think Labor Day is for mothers?”

Sunset scowled at her as we started laughing and Octavia wore a faint smile.

“Taking a page from Spitfires book, I’m going to beat you.”

Author's Note

Fun fact, Lightning Dust was originally meant to be Loyalty and Lyra would have been something different.

Chapter Thirty Six

Indigo

I paced impatiently out front of Sunset’s house as we waited for her to come out. We had gotten invited along to Camp Everfree and Sunset apparently was late.

“She has five seconds to get her sunny ass out here before I go to her!” Sour snarled as she slammed a fist into her palm.

“Her mother did give us a key,” Sugarcoat said dryly.

“Fuck away the pain!” Lemon screamed as she bobbed her head enthusiastically to her music and I groaned internally.

“Would you kindly contribute something useful to society for once instead of screaming vulgar obscenities?” Sunny demanded as she yanked the head phones off.

“Would you kindly shut the fuck up?”

“Girls!” Coco exclaimed as I bit back laughter and glanced at the shorter girl. Rarity had sent her with us in case Sunset reacted unfavorably. “Let’s just go inside.”

“Yeah let’s just wake her up. Apparently Twilight is sleeping in too. The Rainbooms are dealing with her as we speak,” I said as Sugarcoat unlocked the door.

“Sunset!” Sour shouted as we filed into her room. The fiery haired girl merely rolled over in bed and let out a loud snore.

“Wake up dude!” Lemon chimed as she started shaking Sunset. Sunset groggily sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“Oh hey guys,” Sunset muttered as she stretched. “Tell Derpy and mom I’ll put waffles in the microwave in a bit.” She yawned and flipped over as I facepalmed.

“Sunset!” We all shouted as she jumped.

“Alright!” I exclaimed and clapped my hands as everyone looked at me. “Sunny and Sour, take Sunset to the shower. Lemon and Sugarcoat, make her breakfast. Coco, pack Sunset’s clothes for two weeks. Break!”

The girls nodded as they disappeared to do their tasks. Sunny and Sour dragged a yawning Sunset to her bathroom and slammed the door. Lemon shot down the stairs as Sugarcoat followed her at a more reserved pace.

“Enjoying cpa?” Coco asked curiously as she started packing a suitcase. Underwear, bras and other clothing were tossed in as I examined a medal on the wall.

“No,” I admitted hesitantly. “Principal Twinkleshine is doing her best but-”

“But the students won’t change,” Coco finished as I nodded at the light blue haired girl.

“Equestrian medal of honor,” I read aloud as I stared at the gold. I jumped slightly as I heard Sunset scream from the bathroom after the shower turned on.

“Should we check on her?” Coco asked worriedly as she closed the suitcase and I pressed my hands on it as it struggled to lock shut.

“I would but hopefully Sunny is keeping Sour in check. Based on the scream, I’d assume Sour gave her the cold shower treatment to wake her up,” I grumbled as the suitcase made a satisfying click.

We both glanced at a shivering Sunset wrapped in a towel as she glared at Sunny and Sour. The two girls looked nervous as they handed Sunset her shorts, underwear and other clothing.

“Breakfast!” Lemon sang out as we stared at the burnt toast with eggs and sausage she and Sugarcoat brought in.

“The fuck is that?” Sour asked with a stunned expression.

“Toast, eggs and sausage,” Sugarcoat answered with a faint blush. “It’s not our best work.”

“It’s fine,” Sunset grumbled as she grabbed the coffee cup. “Where’s mom and my sisters?”

“At school. They tried to wake you up but couldn’t. They sent us,” Sunny explained as Sunset groaned. “Rainbow and the others are trying to wake up a sleeping Twilight. The last text was ten minutes ago and they were packing for her.”

“Fun,” Sunset muttered as she tossed some books with a burning feather and sun on the cover into her backpack. “Let’s get to the school. Sonata and the other sirens should be already waiting for us.”

“This is going to be awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed as she pumped her fist. She and Applejack resumed shoving their suitcases into the bus.

“Gawd Rarity,” Applejack grunted as she and Rainbow forced the door shut. “How much do ya need?”

“A lady never knows when an opportunity to look fantastic will arise!” Rarity announced and flipped her hair.

“God help us all,” a blonde haired girl muttered as she and blue haired girl walked past us.

“God wouldn’t help you Cloudkicker,” Rainbow snickered. “Or you Raindrops.”

“Shut up,” Raindrops grumbled as Sunset paced by the statue with Lavender. Cloudkicker glanced back at the two before she disappeared on the bus with her friend.

“What are they waiting for?” Sour asked and jerked her head back.

“That,” Applejack pointed as a blue girl tumbled onto the ground along with a lilac girl in a purple shirt and black jeans.

“Hey Sonata,” Sunset leaned against the statue as Sonata dusted herself off and the lilac girl looked around curiously. “The others coming?”

“Unfortunately no,” Sonata shook her head. “Aria has paperwork and Adagio is on a date with Twilight in the mountains.”

“Damn,” Sunset sighed as she helped the other girl up.

“Sea Swirl!” Lavender exclaimed as she dragged a yawning Trixie and Fuchsia behind her. “Holy hell.”

Sea Swirl or I assume that’s the lilac girl, grinned herself as she examined her fingers.

“Been a while,” Sea Swirl admitted as the two hugged.

“Meet Trixie and Fuchsia.”

I quickly tuned out the girls as I turned to my truck and got in, quickly starting it and shutting the door. Sunny got in the passenger as Sunset jogged up.

“Hey can you drive Sea Swirl to camp? We got no more room in the bus,” Sunset said with a faint smile as Sea Swirl waved sheepishly.

“Yeah sure,” I shrugged as Sunset opened the back door and Sea Swirl awkwardly climbed in.

“You might wanna have the window down,” Sunset warned us as she buckled Sea Swirl in. “If her first time in a car is anything like mine, you’ll trust me on this.”

I nodded as she shut the door and I watched her jog to the bus and sit in front of Twilight.

“Who do you think the worst person to get a cabin with would be?” Sunny asked curiously as I followed the bus onto the road.

“You,” I said instantly and she glared as Sea Swirl snickered in the back. “Or Rarity. You’re both annoying about fashion.”

“Me? What about Coco?” Sunny demanded as she folded her arms. “She likes fashion too!”

“Coco keeps her opinions to herself.”

“I’m going to puke I think,” Sea Swirl moaned as we both glanced at the faintly green girl.

“If you throw up in this truck, you’re cleaning it!” I exclaimed as I hastily rolled the window down. Sea Swirl leaned her head out and we both made disgusted faces at the vomiting noise.

“That was awful,” she moaned and pulled her head back in.

“Water bottle in the glove box.” Sunny quickly handed her one after opening the cap.

“Hey where is Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest and Sour Sweet?” Sunny asked suddenly as Sea Swirl continued drinking. We both glanced back at the near empty back seat.

“We must have left them. That would explain why it was quiet in here.”

Chapter Thirty Seven

Sunset

I groaned slightly and stretched while I stepped of the bus. To say it was an experience was an understatement. Twilight randomly waking up screaming sure does give a person a memorable bus ride. I personally think she’s hiding something but I won’t push. She will tell me when she’s comfortable.

I glanced as Indigo parked her truck and Sea Swirl shot out of the truck and instantly started kissing the ground as Indigo stepped out with the rest of her group.

“Oh sweet ground, sweet ground!” Sea Swirl shouted as she repeatedly kissed the ground. “I’ll never leave your loving presence again. Don’t tell Sassy about our secret love, ground.”

“Oh fuck off,” Indigo grumbled as she rolled her eyes. “My driving isn’t that bad.”

“You tried racing the bus for fun and got pulled over for speeding,” Sugarcoat said dryly as she pushed her glasses up. “You also left us behind and had to come back to get us.”

“That was an accident!” Indigo exclaimed as she opened her tailgate.

“That shit eating grin on your face makes me call bullshit.”

“Shut up Sour,” Indigo grumbled as she handed the girl her suitcase.

“How was your first car ride?” Trixie asked curiously as she helped Sea Swirl up. Trixie and Fuchsia instantly took a liking to the girl to Lavenders happiness. Sea Swirl glared at her as she shakily stood.

“I’ll never be the same again,” Sea Swirl groaned and held her stomach. “How you humans do that everyday escapes me.”

“Ah can’t wait forage for food and build mah own shelter and rough it!” Applejack exclaimed as she eagerly rubbed her hands.

“Yeah pretty sure they give us food and shelter AJ,” Rainbow commented with a grin as I shrugged my backpack with a arm around Derpy’s waist.

“Well still gonna forage!”

“Indigo taught me a lot of words,” Sea Swirl said casually as Octavia put a backpack on her. We had taken the liberty of buying her clothes and such for the two weeks she was here.

“Oh yeah?” I said in amusement. “Like what?”

“Fuck, shit, bitch, cunt, whore, fuckhead, fucker, bastard, bullshit and that’s pretty much it.”

We all stared in stunned silence at her as her cheeks turned slightly pink. We had curse woods in Equestria but some she listed were only used here.

“Wow,” Pinkie muttered in shock. “And I thought Rainbow had a potty mouth.”

I yawned slightly as I examined Derpy up and down as she glanced back at me.

“What are you looking at exactly?”

“You,” I said with a smirk as she rolled her eyes with a blush. “The orange shorts suit you well.”

“Tether ball!” Rainbow called out and I groaned internally. I had mostly tuned out Rainbow shouting out activity ideas.

“One second,” I told Derpy and tapped Rainbows shoulder. “I get you’re excited but maybe let someone else suggest some stuff Rainbow. Like Sugarcoat or Rose.”

“Arts and crafts! My mom needs new pot holders.”

“Or Bulk Biceps.”

“Alrighty!” Gloriosa clapped her hands as we all looked at her. “Girls, go with my brother Timber to get tent assignments. Boys, with me!”

I stood a bit back from the crowd as I watch them reach into the bag. Timber seemed nice I guess but seemed to have a very weird relationship with his sister. Scootaloo and other kids hadn’t noticed but Mom and I did.

“I got some red rock,” Lavender mused as she turned the card over in her hands. “Hopefully Trixie or Sea Swirl or Sunset get the same one as me.”

“I got it too,” Cloudkicker said sheepishly as she held up her matching card as Lavender glared at her. I gulped nervously as myself and the others took steps back.

“Can I switch?” Lavender asked hopefully. She frowned as Timber shook his head.

“Sorry no switching. It wouldn’t be fair to the others campers who already left and it would turn camp into a giant swapping game,” Timber frowned at the two as I reached into the bag.

Lavender groaned as she started muttering incoherent curse words as Cloudkicker tossed Blossomforth a pleading look.

“I got sapphire,” I called out as I watched Sea Swirl walk off with Watermelody. I had hoped my fellow Equestrian would have been in a tent with one of my friends to make it easy on her but oh well.

“I got sapphire too! I mean, I’m assuming I am,” Twilight said as she rubbed her chin and I felt a science lesson coming. “Technically, sapphires aren’t just blue. They can be pink, purple, yellow.”

“Yeah, but they’re mostly blue. That’s why they’re named after the Latin word sapphirus,” Timber said as I jumped slightly. I hadn’t heard him walking up. “That means blue.”

“I know,” Twilight whispered back as we all looked at each other. “But did you know that sapphires are just rubies without chromium?”

“The fuck is chromium?” Indigo whispered to Applejack.

“Ah ain’t got a clue.”

“No,” Timber smirked and ignored the whispering behind him. “But did you know that sapphire tent is the best one?”

“Why’s that?” Twilight asked as Timber took the card from her.

“Because you’re in it,” he said as Twilight blushed slightly and watched him walk off.

“Well that was adorable,” Sunny commented casually as we all snickered.

“What?”

“Oh nothin,” Applejack smirked as she and Rainbow walked to their tent. I stretched slightly as I hugged Derpy.

“We can do some camp activities later. I’m gonna go to my tent. Who you bunking with?”

“Fuchsia. Trixie is bunking with Octavia I think,” Derpy answered as she hugged me back. I had a feeling that could either go very well for Trixie or be the worst thing ever. I feel bad for Vinyl. She has to share a tent with Pinkie. Pinkie can be overly energetic in the morning and based on stories I hears, Vinyl isn’t.

“Okay. Love ya,” I waved as we released each other and started walking to our respective tents that were ironically across from each other. I could hypothetically sneak across at night to go visit her no problem.

“Love you too!”

Twilight and I entered the tent and took in the sight of Spike rolling around on a pillow and slobbering all over it. I slowly inspected the tent for spiders before I glanced at Twilight shrugging sheepishly.

“Yeah that’s your bunk.”

I really didn’t want a pillow that was dog slobberified, thank you very much. I just hope the tent doesn't have spiders, otherwise I'll burn the camp down.

Fuck spiders.

Chapter Thirty Eight

Derpy

I gently tossed my bag onto the tent floor and flopped on my bed with a groan. Fuchsia glanced over as she neatly unpacked.

“You good over there Derpy?” Fuchsia asked as she laid on her own bed and dusted off her red shorts.

“Yeah just tired. Poor Twilight and her nightmares,” I sighed and fluffed my pillow. She may or may not have woken up me and Sunset mid nap with her scream but it’s okay.

“Nightmares?”

“Yeah,” I nodded sagely as I started unpacking. “I mean you don’t randomly wake up screaming unless you’re having a bad dream.”

“Maybe she had a nightmare of someone burning a book?” Fuchsia suggested with a grin. “Or not getting an a plus on a test.”

We both laughed quietly as I placed a picture of me, Dinky and Amethyst on the night stand.

“We might have a campfire tonight. You coming?” Fuchsia asked curiously as she grabbed a book out of her bag.

“Maybe,” I shrugged in response. “As long as the stories aren’t so scary. I’m okay with scary stories as long as it’s not before I go to sleep.”

“Well I think Twilight’s new boyfriend was gonna tell a story,” Fuchsia said as she rolled over to face me. “You don’t snore do you?”

“No. You?”

“No. Oh and if Sunset comes to sleep with you, give me fair warning so I can leave. I love you two but not enough to watch you two go at it.”

I turned a bright shade of red as she burst out laughing again and I weakly nodded. She gave me a thumbs up as she laid on her back and closed her eyes.

“Burgundy darlings! The same color family!” Rarity screamed. I looked back with a bored expression. That was the worst story I’ve ever heard but I wasn’t gonna tell her that.

“Kill me now,” Sour grumbled as she folded her arms.

“That was sooo scary,” Applejack snickered.

“Was scared it would never end,” Rainbow smirked as Octavia hid a grin behind her hand.

“Fine!” Rarity snapped. “Someone else tell a scary story. If they have one.”

“I do,” Sunset raised her hand with an evil grin. “I’ve got two.”

“You’re from another world, you gotta have some scary stories,” Lemon announced.

“Oh I do. Do you wanna hear about the Windigos first or the Rainbow Factory?”

“Windigos,” Rainbow declared. “Rainbow Factory sounds childish.”

“Suit yourself,” Sunset kept up her evil grin and started her story. “You know both of these Sea Swirl. I used to tease Spitfire all the time about the Rainbow Factory when we were fillies.”

“Sassaflash used to tell me about it,” Sea Swirl frowned slightly as she stared in awe at the fire. It was still weird to know Sea Swirl was married and twenty six. She looked my age.

“Long ago, two younger siblings, a colt and a filly were lost in a snowy mountain. They had been lost for days, surviving only by drinking melting snow and wild berries they found, but the winter was getting harsher and colder. Finding food was becoming more and more difficult. The cold and hunger angered them both. The sister kept screaming at the brother, blaming him for their situation. The brother tried his hardest to ignore her shouting. But being so hungry and cold, it was getting more difficult to not fight back.” Sunset paused to take a sip of her water.

“Each day, the cold got worse. Everyday, they had less to eat. Everyday the tension between the two got more and more intense. The sister didn’t stop her screaming and insulting to her brother, blaming him for everything, saying how cold and hungry she was and he was slowly losing his patience. One day, a strong snow storm arrived, the snow and wind attacking them furiously, making it impossible to carry on. Luckily, they found a cave and took shelter inside but their luck ran out fairly fast. Even though they had shelter, they had no matches so the cave was pitch black. That fact only made them feel colder. Every attempt to start a fire was a failure due to the wood being frozen from the cold.”

“Her brother was angry, afraid and hungry. Very hungry. His sister kept making things worse, with her screaming and complaining. Even though he tried to stay calm, he had enough. He finally told her to shut up, that he was terrified too and was starving just like her. That only angered her more. She got closer and closer to him, screaming in his face. He had enough at that point and the two started to fight. They started slamming their hooves and heads into their opponent, the wind roaring along with their screams of hatred to each other. The brother managed to get the upper hand, slamming his sisters head against the rock wall. Dazed, she stumbled back and laid on her back. Taking advantage of the moment, the brother took a rock and then....” Sunset snapped a nearby stick in half. We all understood immediately what it meant. She was staring at the ground and missed our shocked faces.

“Silence filled the cave. Only the wind could be heard outside; it took him a long time, before he realized what he had done. He stared at his limp sister, dejected. Terrified, he grabbed the same rock and continued his actions, fueled by hate and fear. He finally collapsed, exhausted by the effort of what he just did. He tried to not think about what he just did but his body reminded him of how hungry he was. So hungry.” Sunset tossed a few peanuts into her mouth and chewed them before continuing.

“He went days without eating. Days without walking. Just laying there, on his stomach. He had lost all strength to do anything. He needed to something, anything and looked over at his sister. He couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to eat.” Sunset looked up for the first time since she started the story and took in the expressions on our faces as her words sunk in. Horror, shock and mainly disgust is what I felt and Sea Swirl shivered as she and Sonata hugged each other.

“After he ate all he could, he waited for the storm to end. And waited. And waited, but the storm never ended. He felt himself going crazy from the isolation and his murderous act. The thought of his sister made him angrier and angrier till that was all left. He tortured himself with those thoughts till he realized he was going to die in that cave from the cold. And soon enough, he did. The cold and ice overtook the cave and his body. He died, but he didn’t leave. He felt light and started to move again. He got up and didn’t feel a thing even with some of his coat ripping off. He was made completely of ice and was able to walk out of the cave. All he could remember was his hatred he held in his soul. His heart was completely made of ice now, no warm emotions to be found. The books call him the first Windigo.” Sunset finished her story and stared at her fellow campers. A cold wind breezed over us and we all shiver. Rarity and Pinkie were holding onto her tightly, the first girls face was green. “When alone in the cold woods, always keep love in your heart. Think of warm thoughts, of your family, of your loved ones and you will be safe. If not, you will be taken over by a Windigo.”

“That was terrifying and quite frankly disgusting when he ate his sisters remains,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Absolutely,” Watermelody squeezed Lemon in fear.

“Wanna hear the next?” Sunset offered. “It’s a true story. And worse in my opinion, because of the ponies it involves.”

“Yes!” She jumped at Sonata’s excited scream.

“It’s a short one,” Sunset warned. “In Equestria, we control our weather. Nothing happens without the pegasi say so. They bring snow, rain, tornadoes when needed to the areas. Cloudsdale is a floating city, it’s main job is making the weather. We also make rainbows. They used to gather up fillies and colts, or girls and boys as they are called here, they would gather up the pegasi kids who failed their flight test and take them to the Rainbow Factory.” Sunset sipped her water again.

“And they would help them fly better?” Octavia asked hopefully. “You’ve never talked about it before.”

“Sorry Tavi but nope. They hooked them up to a machine, killed them, draining them of their blood and using it to make different colors in a rainbow. They burned the bodies and told their parents they were missing and would look for them.” Fluttershy leaned over the back of her log and vomited.

“And you guys called us evil,” Sonata grumbled. “We never wanted to kill anyone.”

“Is that the story?” Lightning asked, hiding her nervousness.

“Pretty much. I have no idea who ran it but it’s so bad because kids were murdered for weather. Of course, we found a nonviolent way to make rainbows after the truth came out and there was a justified outrage over the killings.”

“That’s awful,” Lyra shuddered. “Hey! There’s a Rainbow Factory in town that used to be an amusement park in the eighties. It got shut down due to a few gruesome murders. We should go, Bon Bon!” The cream girl was clinging to Lyra’s arm and glared at her.

“Absolutely not!” Bon Bon shouted.

“Wanna hear one of the songs about the Rainbow Factory?” Sunset suddenly asked.

“I’m gonna regret this but sure,” Sour grunted.

“Deep in the pages of history lies a shadow hiding in a mystery. A late night story buried far away until it once again sees the light of day. And when the little colts and fillies turn out all lights and tell a story of a factory as black as night. The luxury of rainbows comes at a price, just ignore the screams, and don’t think twice. You’ve proven to yourself and to all of us that you’re not fit to fly like a pegasus. You don’t even deserve those wings you bear. When you stand beside a legend, you don’t even compare. All of the failures help to fuel success in the bloody and visceral weather game of chess. Just because you disappointed you’ll pay the price. Now accept your fate and die in the pegasus device,” Sunset sang softly and Fluttershy shivered at the words. “Phantom screams echo through the ruined a facility. A horrible silence builds an eerie tranquility. The souls of many innocent fill the air and the hope that they all died were scattered here and there. A mighty machine built within the wake of a long dead dream little demon awake. The citizens sleep never quite knowing when the machine will awaken, hungry again.”

Fuchsia, Trixie and Lavender exchanged nervous looks as the three hugged each other. I’ve never seen Trixie scared before to be honest.

“Hey guys!” Gloriosa appeared behind Watermelody. She screamed and covered her mouth with her gloved hands, turning a bright shade of red and her eyes widened as she almost fell off the log. Lemon grabbed her and pulled her back up.

“Thanks Lemon,” Watermelody smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

“Time to retire to bed, everyone!” Timber announced after he had some words with Gloriosa that I faintly overheard.

“Did you tell them that stupid story?” Gloriosa hissed quietly.

“I had to cover for you! So yes I did,” he snapped back.

“What do you think that’s about?” Rainbow whispered and nudged Applejack.

“Ah ain’t got a clue.”

“The windigo isn’t real, right?” I asked nervously as Sunset and I walked back to the campsite with Twilight. Sunset rolled her eyes and wrapped an arm around me.

“Of course not!” Sunset laughed as she watched Lyra walk to her tent nervously with a terrified Bon Bon. “Appears I scared the whole camp.”

“Scared me,” Twilight and I said in unison as we looked at each other worriedly.

“And Sea Swirl,” I pointed at the scared Equestrian looking around nervously as she was dragged by Lightning. Lightning was doing a better job of hiding her fear but I could see her eyes flicking back and forth.

“Is it okay if Derpy sleeps with me tonight Twi?” Sunset asked as she opened the flap of the tent. “I didn’t get to finish my song either.”

“I got no problem with it,” Twilight answered as she laid on her bunk. Sunset gave a faint grin as she patted the bunk a few times.

“Come to bed,” Sunset said with a wink.

I turned bright red as I joined her and closed my eyes. She pulled the blanket over us as I felt her face press into my neck.

“Goodnight Twilight and Derpy.”

“Goodnight Sunset.”

“Night Sunny.”

Author's Note

Yes, I stole both stories Sunset said from a previous story I wrote because I liked them.

Chapter Thirty Nine

Watermelody

I laid in the bed in my tent and stared at the ceiling. I didn’t get scared much, I’m in the drama club for crying out loud and paint the creepiest stuff but good fucking God did Sunset’s windigo story terrify me.

“Can’t sleep?”

I jumped slightly and glanced over at Sea Swirl. The Equestrian was looking at me as she opened and closed her fist. Or at least I assume she was an Equestrian. She did just appear out of nowhere.

“Nah, not really,” I admitted and stared at my beret hanging on the wall. I may have opted to leave my skirt at home but I’m not leaving my beret behind. It’s like my signature look.

“Sunset’s stories scare you?” Sea Swirl asked with a knowing look. “Don’t worry, the Windigos aren’t real. Just a story we told each other as fillies to scare each other.”

Well that pretty much confirmed she was from pony world. I gave a sheepish nod as she laughed.

“Is the Rainbow Factory real then?” I asked worriedly as Sea Swirl shrugged.

“Sassy believes it is but then again, she is a pegasus. Most ponies don’t talk about it. The pegasi do have a rainbow factory in Cloudsdale but I highly doubt they are kidnapping foals and killing them,” Sea Swirl scoffed as she pulled her blanket up. “You know Sunset long?”

“Not really no. I’m not really her friend,” I admitted as Sea Swirl raised an eyebrow. Or well, attempted to. I assume it’s difficult in a different body.

“I went to school with her as a filly. She’s a completely different pony now than what I remembered.”

“Pretty sure Sunset hates me,” I admitted sheepishly. I may have rejected her after her reformation and vandalized her locker a few times after the Fall Formal and during anon a miss.

“Why?”

“How much did Sunset tell you about her time here?” I questioned with a faint frown as Sea Swirl shrugged.

“She told us she stole Princess Twilight’s crown, wore it and turned into a demon. Got defeated and became a better pony, then helped defeat the sirens and singlehandedly reformed them, defeated this worlds Twilight in the Friendship Games and a rival school. Oh and Anon A Miss. That made us all furious. Especially her sister and brother. It took us all to keep Spitfire from coming over here and raising hell. Why?” Sea Swirl asked curiously as I gulped. Okay, apparently Sunset told her everything.

“I may have hated her-” I started as Sea Swirl raised a hand with narrowed eyes.

“Fair warning, I’m Sunset’s friend and one of her closest allies. Pick your next words very carefully pony,” Sea Swirl said cautiously as I gulped again.

“I may have hated her, rejected her attempts of friendship after she bullied me, and uh vandalized her locker repeatedly. And during anon a miss too,” I admitted nervously as Sea Swirl gave me a dirty look. She rolled over with her back to me and I sighed.

“Good night,” she said coldly as I resisted the urge to facepalm. This was going to be a long two weeks with a tent partner that hates me. So much for honestly being the best policy.

“What’s with you?” Mystery Mint asked curiously as I plopped down on the bench and groaned. She, Golden Hazel, Cherry Crash and Blueberry Cake all gave me worried looks as I dropped my head on the table.

“You guys know Sea Swirl?” I asked quietly.

“Yeah!” Blueberry said happily as she drew on her notebook as I glanced at my fashionista friend. “Sunset’s friend from pony world. Fellow unicorn, went to Princess Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns with her and a few other mutual friends of hers and that’s all I really know. She has a wife, is twenty six and has a full time job at some place like Sea World.”

We all stared at her in stunned silence as she ate a blueberry from the container sitting next to her.

“How do you know all that?” Golden asked finally.

“Pinkie Pie. And Bon Bon. Plus, Sea Swirl told me herself.”

Oh. That would explain it. Pinkie Pie has a weird way of knowing the most random stuff. I assume Bon Bon would have known too, considering how closely associated she is with Sunset.

“I’m pretty sure she hates me now,” I sighed and glanced out to the lake where the girl in question was in a kayak with Sonata. At least they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“Why?” Cherry asked curiously as we watched Sunset talk to Twilight. The fiery haired girl glanced over with a faint frown and we all hastily looked away.

“I told her about how I originally hated Sunset and my behavior after the Fall Formal plus the whole anon a miss issue,” I answered as an awkward silence fell over us.

“Well that would make sense,” Cherry said sympathetically. “Hell, if she hates you for that than she’s going to despise me. I pushed Derpy and got jumped by Sunset in the hallway. I’ve been jumped twice by Sunset in my life.”

“Hell I hated you a bit after you pushed Derpy,” Mystery grumbled as she glared at Cherry. “I’d have helped Sunset, regardless of my feelings to her at the time. I mean, if Sunset forgave Trixie of all people she will forgive you Watermelody.”

“Ha!” I snorted and rolled my eyes. “We painted demon on her locker and wrote go to hell on it. We also laughed at her as she ran crying to the bathroom after Trixie threw that powder in her eyes. Trixie also called her a demon too.”

“Plus that’s all Trixie did,” Blueberry pointed out with a frown. “She and her two friends quickly sided with Sunset during anon a miss. Remember, Trixie slapped Rarity and covered it up? That was insane. And Aria jumped Rainbow with Adagio and Lightning Dust.”

“They sided with her in the first week!” Golden exclaimed and slammed a hand down. “I don’t blame her for hating us.”

“I kinda doubt what Trixie did will work for us,” Blueberry pointed out flatly. “I mean helping Sunset. We kinda don’t have a cyber bully harassing Sunset again that we can use to our advantage to side with her.”

“Do we really need a Facebook account to talk to her though?” I wondered as I opened my drawing notebook. “We could fly an airplane to her. Or find out what tent she is in and tent she is in.”

“Twilight,” Golden stated as she brushed her hair. “She’s bunking with Twilight. I’m in the tent next to them with Raindrops. If it makes you feel better, Raindrops hates me too. And that’s scarier than Sea Swirl. Raindrops has anger issues.”

I opened my mouth to speak as we all jumped at a loud crashing sound and we looked back in stunned silence as Derpy and Sandalwoods boat crashed into the dock.

“Holy shit,” Sunset exclaimed as she and Rainbow helped the two out of the boat. “You alright?”

“Yeah I’m fine,” Derpy muttered as Mystery and I pulled the damaged boat to shore.

“What is that?” Cherry asked suspiciously and pointed to some purple powder floating on the water.

“Maybe it’s Gaia Everfree!” Bulk Biceps shouted as Golden rolled her eyes. Apparently more people believed Timbers story than we had originally thought.

“Oh puh lease!” Scootaloo snorted as she placed her hands on her hips. “It’s just a campfire story. None of those stories are real.”

“Says the girl who got scared by Sunset’s story.”

“Shut up Silver Spoon,” Scootaloo snapped as Cheerilee separated the two.

“Now now girls. No need to fight.”

Cheerilee was probably the scariest woman, even more than Sunset and Lightning Dust was. I had no idea she was Sunset’s mom. That did explain why she was protective of her.

“We can build a new dock as our camp gift!” Rainbow exclaimed eagerly.

“I don’t know,” Timber rubbed the back of his head as he inspected the dock. “It would take away from your time here at camp.”

“I hear ya Timber!” Rainbow said as she wrapped an arm around him. “But we’re Wondercolts! It’s kinda our thing.”

“I can draw up the plans,” I stepped forward and offered as everyone looked at me. “Easy, no problem.” Timber sighed and shrugged.

“Fine. As long as you guys dont focus all your time on it.”

I nodded as I jogged to my table. Fix the dock, apologize to Sunset and maybe my tent mate won’t kill me in my sleep. Hopefully.

Author's Note

https://equestriagirls.fandom.com/wiki/Watermelody

https://equestriagirls.fandom.com/wiki/Golden_Hazel

https://equestriagirls.fandom.com/wiki/Mystery_Mint

https://bronies.fandom.com/wiki/Blueberry_Cake

https://equestriagirls.fandom.com/wiki/Cherry_Crash

https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Sea_Swirl

Chapter Forty

Sunset

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked and inspected Derpy up and down. She gave a slow nod as she put a shirt on. To say I was worried was an understatement. Boat accidents aren’t minor, even if Derpy insists she’s fine.

“I love your caring side believe me I really do, but I’m fine. I could have gotten my own shirt, you didn’t have to give me one of yours,” Derpy muttered as I glanced at her soaking shirt on the wooden floor of the tent.

“Sorry,” I said sheepishly and rubbed the back of my head before Derpy kissed me.

“Don’t worry,” Derpy smirked as she stretched. “Wanna go on a nature walk tomorrow morning? Bon Bon and the others are playing paintball later tonight.”

“Bon Bon?” I asked in awe. Derpy nodded with a wide smile. “Paintball?” Another nod. “Wow.”

“Just wait,” Derpy winked. “She’s really good at it.”

“I guess I’ll join. And yes, I’m down for a nature walk,” I answered with a faint blush. “I assume Fluttershy is bringing Spike and maybe Octavia. I think Applejack and Apple Bloom are currently looking for ways to rough it as they call it.”

“May the lord have mercy on their souls,” Derpy muttered under her breath as I snickered. “I’ll see you later tonight?”

“Yeah. I also have to play hide and seek with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle so there’s that,” I commented as Derpy’s eyes lit up.

“Ooh. Sounds fun!”

Fun is one word to describe it. I don’t really play hide and seek. I’m an adult practicically and it’s impossible to find Diamond Tiara. She can hide well.

“You haven’t told her about their dad stopping by to visit his stomping grounds, have you?” Derpy asked suddenly.

“We haven’t,” I admitted and Derpy gave me a flat look. “They’ve been through a lot and deserve a week or two off from their shit. I don’t trust him. Timber and Gloriosa are gonna do their best to keep him gone until we leave.”

“They should be warned in case they can’t Sunset. Give them time to prepare. See you tonight!” Derpy waved as she exited the tent and I watched her leave with a faint smile. I flopped down on the bed as I heard the tent flap flung open.

“Ever been in love Twilight?” I asked with a smile as I stared up.

“No I don’t think she has,” I jumped slightly at the familiar voice and stared at my sisters counterpart. “Hey.”

“Hey Spitfire,” I sighed and laid back down. “What’s up?”

“Not much,” Spitfire said and sat on Twilight’s bunk. “I’ll get straight to the point, lovebird. Why the hell were you always such a bitch to me?”

Oh God help me now.

“So you know I’m from a far away place.”

“Yeah,” Spitfire answered with a frown. “Pony land or whatever.”

I resisted the urge to correct her on it being called Equestria. Half my classmates called it pony land.

“Yeah. In Equestria, your counterpart is my older sister,” I admitted and took in her stunned look. “When I first saw you, I thought you were her. I thought Princess Celestia sent her to bring me back and arrest me.”

“And you knew I was a threat?” Spitfire suggested with a nod.

“Partially,” I answered and she frowned slightly. “After dad died, it was just me, mom, dad and Spitfire. Poor and all that on a farm. Spitfire took off to be in the Wonderbolts and I came to the conclusion she abandoned us. Which disgusted me because I figured she abandoned mom.”

“Which she didn’t?”

“She didn’t no,” I admitted quietly. “I didn’t find that out until we reconnected recently. She was sending almost all the money she made back to mom to support her and lived with Soarin as a roommate. The last time I saw her before I left, we fought over it and swore to never talk to each other.”

“Uh huh,” Spitfire rolled her eyes and folded her arms. “Clearly that didn’t last because you reconnected. What does that have to do with me?”

“I still held resentment towards my sister and boom, I met her counterpart. I took it out on you the worst because of what happened,” I sighed as I sat up and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I never really apologized to you but I am now.”

“I know,” Spitfire answered as she gave me a mischievous smirk. “Which is why you’re gonna let Bon Bon be on my team tonight. I could make your run laps when we get back till you puke but frankly that’s disgusting.”

“Fine.”

“Alright,” Bon Bon grinned at me maliciously as she handed me a paintball gun. “You should be safe because the mask and vest. You should run.”

I gave a nervous nod and ran into the woods, stumbling over a tree branch. Curse these dark woods. I could faintly make out the campfire as I crouched in a bush.

I tucked a few strands of my fiery hair in my hat as I froze. A few branches crunched as a few teammates ran by and stood around, quietly talking. I faintly made out Sonata, Mystery Mint, Blueberry and a few others in the group.

“Where did Sunset go?” Mystery asked curiously as she rested her gun on her shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Cloudkicker admitted quietly. “She went over this way. She’s a smart girl, bet she climbed a tree and is waiting to get the jump someone.”

“Actually I’m right here,” I admitted and came out of the darkness.

“Don’t scare me like that,” Indigo grumbled and glared at me. “Almost shot you.”

“Sorry,” I said sheepishly as a paintball hit Indigo in the chest and she fell on her back. I dropped to the ground as the others ran and I watched Bon Bon in a tree with Lyra.

“Holy shit,” I whispered in awe as I watched Bon Bon jump off the tree in front of my team and roll as she shot all of them and they fell groaning.

“That’s what you get for making me mad!” Bon Bon shouted as she shot a fleeing Rainbow four times in the back.

“Hey Sunset,” Lyra said casually and I froze as I felt her boot on my back. “Nice spot. You forgot to turn your phone off.”

I glanced down and stared at my phone, sighing as she shot me.

“Ow!” I shouted as she shot me three more times. “I think one would have sufficed.”

“Sorry,” Lyra shrugged and removed her boot. “Nice hiding spot though. Try a tree next time.” I nodded as I groaned and stood up, shoving my phone in my pocket as I stumbled to the tent and collapsed.

“You look awful,” Twilight said casually as she turned a page in her book. “Lyra and Bon Bon found you I see.”

My only response was a weak groan and nod as Twilight laughed. I’m so getting Lyra back next time.

Chapter Forty One

Trixie

“Trixie!” I jumped slightly and glanced back as Micro Chips jogged up with a fishing pole.

“What do you want with Trixie?” I asked as I placed my hands on my hips. I was supposed to be going to take a nap, not socialize.

“Fishing!” He answered and looked around as he held out a spare fishing pole as I raised an eyebrow.

“Trixie doesn’t fish,” I replied with a frown. “Trixie has no interest in smelly fish.”

“I’ve seen you eating fish at school,” Micro raised an eyebrow and I internally cursed. For once, I had no excuse. “After all, I could use some great and powerful advice from the best advice giver.”

“Say no more!” I exclaimed proudly with my hand on my chest. “Trixie is the greatest advice giver, student carer abouter and will solve your issues!”

He handed me the fishing pole and I hesitantly accepted it. I didnt really know Micro that well but might as well go through with it.

“The stream is this way,” Micro said casually as we started walking as Indigo Zap and Lemon Zest walked past.

“I can’t believe you all thought stealing Rarity’s idea for the competition was a good idea,” Indigo scoffed as she glared at her friend.

“It was Sunnys idea!” Lemon Zest snapped as she played with her headphones. “I just went along with it. We are not one hundred percent perfect.”

“Clearly,” Indigo snorted as the two walked alway and I faintly heard something about rock climbing.

“What can Trixie help you with?” I asked curiously as I brushed a tree branch out of my way.

“People,” Micro said simply as he stepped over a rock. I frowned internally, I don’t really like people. For the longest, the only people I had was Lavender and Fuchsia.

“What about people?”

“Do you know Starlight?”

I frowned slightly and rubbed my chin. I knew of her but I didn’t know her per se.

“Not personally but Trixie knows of her. Why, you got a crush?” I asked with a grin as I looked him over.

“No! Yes! Maybe?” He hastily muttered with a red face. My grin grew as we stopped at the dry stream.

“Uh huh,” I said and rolled my eyes. “Isn’t there supposed to be water for fishing?”

“This is weird,” Micro mused as he looked around. “There’s not a drought in this area for years. Most certainly blocked somewhere. Probably a few down trees or a large rock.”

We both stumbled as a loud rumbling sound came from far away as the ground shook and I fell on back.

“There shouldn’t be an earthquake. There’s no fault lines around here!” Micro shouted as a large wave splashed down into the stream and he yanked me up. “Run!”

“Trixie did not sign up for this!” I screamed as we ran desperately and I felt water splashing on my back. “Cold!”

“That was weird,” Micro panted as he doubled over as I glanced at the now active stream.

“You don’t say?” I said bitterly as I squeezed some water out of my hair. Stupid rocks. Stupid water. “Let Trixie get changed and she will help with you crush.”

“Sounds good. And it’s not a crush!”

“Sure,” I said dryly and snapped my fingers. “Whatever you sa- ahh!”

“What the fuck?” Lavender asked in confusion as Micro and I tumbled onto the floor of her tent. “How the heck did you do that?”

I looked around in confusion as I stared at a stunned Blossomforth and Fuchsia as Blossomforth dropped her nail polish.

“I-I don’t know!” I exclaimed nervously as I shivered. “It just sorta happened!”

“You should find Sunset and Twilight,” Fuchsia suggested as she shrugged. “They would wanna know about your sudden appearing act.”

“Appearing act huh?” I mused as the three of us grinned at each other. “This could change things.”

“Indeed,” Lavender nodded with a smirk. “In a big way.”

I’ll find Sunset later. First I gotta change.

“First off you gotta get rid of the suspenders,” I said and pulled on one distastefully. “This isn’t the eighties or whenever people wore those things.”

“But-” Micro started and I silenced him with a glare.

“Trixie states they gotta go. Nobody wears them anymore except people stuck in the past and nerds. Don’t tell Sparkle Trixie said that.”

“What’s going on here?” Watermelody asked as she paused at us with an apple in her hand and her notepad in another.

“Trixie is helping Micro Chips get Lightstar,” I said proudly as Watermelody choked on air.

“Her name is technically Starlight,” Micro corrected weakly.

“Same thing. Starlight, Lightstar, you know who Trixie is talking about.”

“You?” Watermelody asked in disbelief as I glared at her. “You’re single. Why is he coming to you for advice?”

“Trixie could get a boyfriend or a girlfriend if she wanted!” I exclaimed angrily. “You’re single too, you beret wearing phony French girl!”

“Excuse you?” Watermelody gasped as she took a step back. “My beret is gorgeous, unlike your dress you always wear! I can get a girlfriend or a boyfriend too!”

“My dress is beautiful!” I snarled as Micro stepped back as I faintly made out Octavia watching. “First girl to get a girlfriend or boyfriend at the end of Camp Everfree is the best girl at Canterlot High.”

“And they have to express interest in you!” Watermelody added as we glared at each other.

“Deal!”

“Deal!”

We shook hands as we glanced at a nervous Micro.

“So now that’s out of the way,” Micro began as he glanced between us. “Why is Starlight acting so weird around me all the time?”

“Good god,” Watermelody muttered under her breath as I rolled my eyes. “You’re joking, right? We can’t get her to shut up about you. It’s honestly kinda annoying.”

“No wonder you’re single if you call all the guys you meet annoying,” I quipped with a grin as she shot me a glare. “At least Trixie has a better body.”

“Shut it magician. Magic is stupid. Drama and acting is better!”

“I’ll show you acting, you wannabe baguette maker!” I snarled as I threw some powder in her eyes and snapped my fingers as I tumbled onto the ground of my tent, groaning as I hit my head on the nightstand on my way down.

I should probably have planned that better.

Author's Note

https://www.deviantart.com/ajosterio/art/Equestria-Girls-Indigo-Zap-Camp-Everfree-933690784

https://www.deviantart.com/ajosterio/art/Equestria-Girls-Lemon-Zest-Camp-Everfree-933690542

Chapter Forty Two

Fuchsia

“Having fun?” I asked as I stretched out a bit in the kayak and stared at my sister next to me. Wallflower gave a slow nod as she looked into the water at the fish underneath us.

“Yeah. The nature walks are nice. Nobody noticed me though,” Wallflower frowned slightly as she traced a finger on the water.

“What do you mean?” I asked as I glanced back at the shore. Octavia and Lyra were climbing the rock wall with Rarity and Applejack. Thank God for my good vision.

“Nothing,” Wallflower muttered as I raised an eyebrow. “Must be nice to be Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna and Miss Cheerilee. They get to have the warm cabins.”

“Your tent isn’t warm?” I raised an eyebrow.

“My tentmate prefers to have a large fan she somehow brought with her on at all times.”

“Who’s your tent mate?”

“Blossomforth. She hasn’t really noticed me either. At least my bunk is still my own,” Wallflower smiled faintly as she glanced back to shore. “We should head back. At least the others got the deck almost rebuilt.”

I gave a nod as we started the paddle back. A quick glance at the sun’s spot in the sky told me it was roughly five in the afternoon. My eyes widened as Applejack was sent flying into the lake somehow.

“What was that about?” Wallflower asked in shock as we beached our kayaks and jumped out, dragging them to the rest of the kayaks and locking them up. “That was weird.”

“It was,” I admitted and saw Applejack walk into the kitchen area with Sunset. “I’ll go look into it. Trixie has been acting weird too, randomly appearing all over the place and shit. I mean that literally. She accidentally appeared in the shower with me last night and trust me, that was scary.”

“That’s different,” Wallie mused as we started walking. “I’m going to my tent. See you later?”

“You can count on it sis,” I smirked as we separated and I kicked the door open as everyone looked at me. “What is going on in here- woah!” I ducked as some sprinkles blew up behind me and I gave a shocked look behind me.

“Sorry!” Pinkie called out. She and Bon Bon were tossing ingredients into the mixing bowl as the two girls hands blurred.

“Two sticks unsalted butter at room temperature, three cups all purpose flour, one tablespoon baking powder, one half teaspoon of salt, one forth cup of sugar, four large eggs at room temperature, one tablespoon of vanilla, one forth cup of milk,” Bon Bon said suddenly as she turned the mixer on. “Done.”

“The fuck just happened?” I asked as we all stared in stunned silence. “I know you’re good at baking, but you’ve never know the instructions down to the letter.”

“I don’t know. It just came to me,” Bon Bon admitted as two blurs of a rainbow and light green with gold crashed into the room.

“Oh my head!” Lightning moaned as she and Rainbow laid on top of each other.

“What happened to yall?” Applejack asked worriedly as she helped them up.

“We were racing and we suddenly ended up in town,” Rainbow explained as she leaned against the counter. “It’s like we got a burst of speed and it disappeared once we left camp.”

“So something is making our magic go haywire,” Sunset mused as a bird landed on Fluttershys arm. “Something at camp.”

“Oh hi Mr. Robin. How are you today?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at the bird. “Oh uh please don’t call your friends.” The bird squawked as a bunch of other birds flew in and landed on her outstretched arms.

“Were you just talking to a bird?”

“Uh maybe?”

“Ahm so confused right now,” Applejack stated and shook her head. “Ah got super strength, Rarity summons gems, Bons is a baking genius now, Pinkie makes stuff explode, Lightning and Rainbow got super speed.”

“Twilight and I-” Sunset began as Twilight elbowed her and I raised an eyebrow. “We haven’t gotten any new magic either. Has anyone else?”

“No,” I admitted and shook my head. “Trixie has been magically appearing all over camp randomly for the last two days.”

“What?” Sunset exclaimed as she wheeled on me. “When was I going to be told?”

“Sorry?” I offered sheepishly as the door was kicked open and Fluttershy screamed at a giant shadow in the doorway.

“There you are Applejack!” Gloriosa said happily and placed the towels on the table. “Celestia said you fell in the lake so I brought you warm towels!”

“Oh thank ya kindly Miss Gloriosa,” Applejack tipped her hat as she wrapped a towel around herself.

“Miss Gloriosa! I kicked my bean bag into the lake!” Sandalwood exclaimed as he pushed the door open. Derpy and Sour Sweet followed behind him shortly with a few broken arrows in Derpys hand.

“I’ll get you a new one!”

“And I’m all out of arrows!” Derpy added as Sunset’s expression melted a bit. Derpy was pretty adorable, I’ll give her that. Kinda like a puppy dog.

“Say no more! New arrows coming right up!”

“There you are!” Timber snapped as he shoved past Derpy and Sunset gave him an angry look along with Rainbow, Applejack, Lightning and myself. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you! Filthy Rich is back. Want me to handle it?”

“Absolutely not!” Gloriosa hissed quietly as we all gave each other concerned looks, though Sunset looked primarily angry. “I’ve got this!” She hastily left the room as Timber watched and Sunset groaned.

“Fluttershy, enough with the screaming!” Sunset snapped as I tilted my head.

“I didn’t scream?” Fluttershy muttered as I rolled my eyes.

“For once,” Rainbow scoffed.

“No one did darling,” Rarity commented as Sunset shrugged before glaring at Timber.

“You better apologize to my girlfriend,” Sunset snarled at Timber as he glanced back at her then Derpy hiding behind Fluttershy.

He gulped nervously as Sunset, Lightning, Rainbow and I cornered him against the wall with angry expressions.

Chapter Forty Three

Derpy

I watched as Sour picked up a bow and notched an arrow. She closed her eyes and inhaled before exhaling, letting the arrow go. My eyes slightly widened as it joined the trio of arrows in the center.

“That was cool,” I muttered to myself as I hesitantly approached the bows and picked one up with some arrows. I had already broken a few arrows. Thank the lord for Gloriosa. “Hi!”

“Gah!” Sour yelped as she let her newly notched arrow go and watched it stick into the dirt. “Derpy! Don’t scare me like that!”

“Sorry,” I mumbled and rubbed the back of my head. Sour sighed and rolled her eyes.

“It’s fine. Just don’t do it again,” Sour grumbled as I shakily notched an arrow, letting go as it impaled the dirt. As did all the ones that followed.

“I suck,” I grumbled and wiped my eye.

“You’re not focusing,” Sour answered quietly as she watched me. “You’re just letting them go.”

She set her arrow down and stood behind me.

“Notch an arrow,” she ordered and I nodded. She extended an arm and placed my hand on the string. “Pull the arrow back.”

“Okay,” I said and quietly complied.

“Good. Close your eyes,” Sour instructed as I complied. “Picture the arrow hitting the target. Breath in and out, smell the nature around us. It’s calming. Let the arrow go now.” I complied and let go. “Open your eyes.”

“Okay?” I said uncertainty as I opened my eyes and stared at the arrow in the bullseye. “I did it?”

“Damn right,” Sour nodded with a smug grin. “Good work. Look around you to make sure there’s no own shooting arrows before you go retrieve yours. Safety first.”

“Okay!” I said as I jogged up to my target and pulled the arrow out. I grabbed Sour as she yelped and I pulled my phone out. “Say arrow!”

“I’m going to die from lack of oxygen,” Sour grunted as I sheepishly loosened my grip. “Do we have to? Sunny makes me take enough selfies with her as is.”

“Yes!”

Sour rolled her eyes and grinned along with me.

“Arrow!”

“Okay we’re good!” I quickly saved the picture before sending it to Mom and Dad. “Gotta go, bye! Thanks for the help!”l

I took off running as Sour waved with a confused expression.

“You know, you guys didn’t have to scare Timber into apologizing,” I said to Sunset as we sat around a picnic table with the rest of our friends. Rainbow and Lightning were both loudly encouraging Pinkie to eat as many cupcakes as she could. Sunset stabbed a piece of cantaloupe with her fork and rolled her eyes.

“Yes we did,” Sunset said firmly. “He was being rude, shoving you like that. I don’t know what Twilight sees in him.”

“Who knows,” I shrugged as we both glanced at Twilight sitting alone. “Why is Twilight sitting by herself?”

“Not sure,” Sunset frowned slightly as she squeezed my thigh and I turned slightly red. She dropped her voice to a whisper as she looked at our table mates. “Ever since we decided not to investigate the, you know, the m word, she’s been acting distant and won’t open up. Think you can talk to her?”

“I’ll try,” I whispered back as Timber sat next to Twilight with a lantern.

“Thanks love,” Sunset kissed my cheek as I turned a even brighter shade of red as we went back to our lanterns.

“What is this?” Sea Swirl asked curiously as she held up a cheeseburger Sonata had brought her.

“Oh that’s a cheeseburger!” Rainbow explained as she looked over.

“So it’s made of cheese and hay?” Sea Swirl asked as she took a bite.

“No, it’s made of meat.” Sea Swirls eyes widened slightly as she turned green and spit it out.

“Ew!”

“Oh that’s gross love!”

“Think I’m gonna faint,” Rarity groaned as she fanned herself. Sunset shoved a trash can over to Sea Swirl as the girl threw up and we all looked away in disgust.

“Ponies don’t eat meat,” Sunset answered as she covered her mouth with a hand and looked away. “Is she done yet?”

“Yeah I’m done,” Sea Swirl grumbled as she wiped her mouth. I quickly turned back to my lantern and placed a another flower sticker on it.

“It smells so bad,” Lightning muttered as she sprayed Febreze around us she had held in her jacket. “That should help.”

“Did you really just use Febreze outside?” Fuchsia asked in disbelief.

“Yes, yes I did. And I don’t give a shit.”

We all gave Pinkie a look as she gave a weird laugh as Rarity frowned.

“Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?” Rarity asked suspiciously and I snorted a laugh.

“Putting marshmallows in my lantern!” Pinkie chirped as she dropped another marshmallow on her lantern. “So when we light them, it’ll be gorgeous and delicious!”

A silence fell over the table as we all silently processed her words. People call me dumb sometimes but even I could see how that wasn’t going to work.

“Yeah not even gonna start to question that,” Lightning muttered under her breath as she drew a lightning bolt on her lantern. I wasn’t going to either, probably for the best in all honesty. One of the things we all learned when we came to CHS was don’t question Pinkie Pie.

“Alright campers, to the docks!” Gloriosa exclaimed as she pointed to the newly rebuilt dock. I stood up and followed the rest of my school to the docks and watched as my lantern floated next to Sunset’s and Octavia’s.

“What exactly was your lantern designed to be?” I asked Sunset curiously as we all gave Pinkie startled looks as her lantern fell back on the dock.

“Oh well now I get to eat it!” Pinkie exclaimed as she put a few marshmallows in her mouth. “Yep, gorgeous and delicious.”

“Why do I have such weird friends?” Sunset muttered under her breath with a smirk.

“You love us and you know it!” Pinkie growled as she stared at Sunset intensely.

“Wanna go for a late night nature hike?” Sunset whispered quietly in my ear. “It’s against the rules but who cares? It’ll make up for me missing the morning one.”

I looked around to make sure no one was listening before nodding.

“Yeah sure.” Sunset smirked as we snuck out down the trail as she walked ahead of me.

“And maybe if you’re lucky, we can do something else out here that we can’t when Twilight is in the tent,” Sunset winked as I blushed.

She disappeared around a corner and with a bright red face, I quickly followed her.

Chapter Forty Four

Sunset

I yawned as I rolled over in bed as I identified something missing: Twilight. She snored like a horse and don’t you dare make a joke about me being a pony.

“Where’s Twilight?” I asked Spike as he stirred on the pillow on the floor. He yawned and looked around before jumping to his paws. I gently shook my sleeping girlfriend as Derpy groaned softly. After our walk, she passed out on the trail and I carried her to the closest tent, which ironically had my bed.

I would have slept on the ground but I knew Derpy would have killed me the moment she woke up. Besides, who would turn down sharing a bed with your partner?

“I got the scent,” Spike announced after he sniffed the air a bit.

“Hey Derpy,” I whispered to avoid waking up the others in the campsite. “Twilight’s missing. Me and Spike are gonna go look for her. Can you stay here in case she comes back?” Derpy sat up instantly and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she glanced around.

“Yeah you got it Sunshim.” I blushed slightly at the nickname she gave me as Derpy stood up. “I’ll get Lyra and we will wait in your tent. If Twilight comes back, either Lyra will come find you or we will text you.”

“Okay,” I nodded as we both quickly exited the tent as we snuck in opposite directions as I followed Spike. “Lead the way, buddy.”

Spike ran through the forest as I jogged behind him, our only pauses were Spike stopping to sniff the ground.

“This way!” Spike announced as we ran down a rough trail and shortly we caught up to Twilight. “Twilight!” Twilight flinched and almost dropped her backpack as she stared at us.

“What are you guys doing here?” Twilight asked nervously.

“What am I doing out here?” I asked incredulously. “What are you doing out here?”

“We’re uh meeting a cab to take us home,” Twilight admitted sheepishly. “I didn’t expect Spike to lead you to me. He was supposed to wait till I was a bit into the forest.”

“Yeah she thought you would talk her out of it,” Spike answered nervously as I glared at him. I would have used this information ten minutes ago, not now.

“Yeah because I would,” I frowned at Twilight. “Twilight, you can’t leave.” I grabbed her hand and gasped. I saw the moment Pinkie panicked about the spirit and Twilight sitting alone with Spike during the lanterns.

”No, it was me,” Twilight muttered. ”I think it’s Midnight Sparkle. She stills part of me, I can feel it. And I think her magic is infecting my friends too. I gasped again and let go of Twilight.

“Twilight, there’s no Midnight Sparkle,” I reassured her as I placed a hand on her shoulder as her eyes widened. “Only you.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?” Twilight asked nervously as I rubbed my chin.

“When I touched you, I could see things. I could understand why you were leaving,” I explained as I folded my arms. “My new magic? This is my new magic! This is incredible!”

“No, it isn’t!” Twilight shouted as she stepped back. “I’m infecting you now too!”

“Twilight, you gotta stop looking at this as a bad thing.”

“Easy for you to say!” Twilight snapped as she stepped past me. “The last time you used magic, it turned you into something into beautiful. It turned me into a monster!”

“It turned me into a monster too at first.”

Twilight paused and looked at me as Spike rubbed his head against my leg. I forgot I was upset at him and instinctively picked him up.

“But it won’t happen to you,” I reassured her as I stroked Spikes head. “Midnight Sparkle is weak, you are strong. She won’t return. Trust me.”

“Gah!” Twilight screamed as I spun around and Spike growled at the shadow behind me.

“What are you two doing out here?” Timber asked as he rested the axe against his shoulder. I’ve seen too many Friday The Thirteenth movies with Octavia to know what happens with two attractive girls and a weirdo with an axe in the woods.

“Oh it’s you,” I scoffed and looked away. I still may hold a grudge against him for how he treated Derpy. “What are you doing out here?”

“Cutting wood for the campfire tomorrow night. Come on, I’ll walk you three back to camp. Are you really mad at me still? I apologized multiple times to your girlfriend,” Timber asked as we started following him back to camp. I huffed and looked away as he groaned.

Some glittery dust fell out of his back pocket that I recognized and I narrowed my eyes.

“Gaia Everfree, huh?”

I lost track of how long we were walking, faintly making out the two talking. I didn't want to believe he would try to destroy the camp but why would he have the same powder that appeared when the was destroyed? Soon enough, we approached our tent as Timber left us with a wave to Twilight and nervous look at me.

I pushed the tent flap open as Derpy and Lyra glanced over, instantly standing up as Twilight plopped on her bed.

“Where were you?” Lyra yawned as she stretched. “It’s two am.”

“Twilight tried to leave,” I explained as Twilight groaned.

“Why?” Derpy asked sweetly as she sat next to Twilight and stroked her hair. “You can tell me anything.”

“I think Twilight has had a long night. We should let her go to sleep,” I answered as Derpy sighed. “I’ll see you later in the day. Let’s keep her trying to leave between us.”

“I don’t like keeping secrets from our friends,” Lyra frowned slightly as she opened the tent. “It feels wrong. If you think this is best though, I understand.” Derpy said nothing as she followed Lyra out and I sighed.

“Do you think Sunset might replace me with Twilight?” Derpy quietly asked as Lyra snorted. “She’s smarter than me after all.” Twilight and I looked at each other as I opened the tent.

“Hey! Come back here!” I called out quietly as Derpy nervously came back with Lyra. “I would never replace you. Don’t think like that. Are you taking your anxiety meds?”

“Uh yes?” Derpy offered weakly as I rubbed my thumb against her cheek.

“Okay,” I nodded after a second and kissed her as Derpy sighed contently before kissing me back as I faintly identified the taste of strawberries on her lips. We reluctantly separated as Derpy hugged me. “I love you but I gotta calm Twilight down. We will go bake together after I wake up, just me and you.”

Derpy beamed as she let go and walked away happily. Lyra gave me an approving nod as she walked away.

Derpy wasn’t the only plan I had tomorrow. I had to investigate Timber.

Chapter Forty Five

Derpy

“So where did you go the other night?” Bon Bon asked as Lyra, myself and her relaxed on the beach. The baking Sunset and I did this morning went fairly well, though it did end up with us both being covered in flour and laughing on the floor.

“For a late night beach walk!” Lyra said she made eye contact with me. None of us really liked lying to our friends, but hopefully they understand. Bon Bon lifted her sunglasses and gazed at Lyra as she adjusted the bandanna in her hair.

“Uh huh,” Bon Bon said unconvincingly. “And I take it Derpy was with you?”

“Yeah,” I sighed and gave a thumbs up. “I needed some uh relationship advice! I’ve been inadequate I guess compared to Sunset!” My eyes looked around as I weakly smiled and hoped she didn’t see through my lie.

“Okay,” Bon Bon shrugged as she dropped her sunglasses back over her eyes and laid back down on the sand. I’ve known Bon Bon for the past four, five years and I’ve never seen her showing so much skin before.

“Looking good Bon Bon,” I said sheepishly as I stretched. “Never seen you in a bikini before.”

“Thanks,” Bon Bon smiled faintly as she blushed. “Why don’t you wear one?”

“Oh uh I don’t really like my body,” I said quietly as Lyra groaned. “You should have seen when I took my clothes off in front of Sunset for the first time. It took her hours to convince me nothing was wrong with my body. I’m surprised I’m even wearing shorts right now.”

“Don’t let Sunset hear you say that,” Lyra warned from my left. “You know how she is about your self deprecating talk. I swear, you and Sunset are so similar with your depressive phases and self hatred. It just comes and goes with you two.”

“Lyra!” Bon Bon growled as she glared at her. “I don’t think that’s helping. Derpy, I know I never curse but forgive me. Fuck what people think.” Lyra and I stared in shock at her. Bon Bon almost never curses.

“God I’m rubbing off on you,” Lyra muttered in disbelief as she placed her hands behind her head. “You’re gonna be a mini me in a few years.”

“Oh god,” Bon Bon gasped dramatically. “A mini Lyra would end the world.” I burst out laughing as Lyra glared at us.

“Shut up you two.”

“You know Sunset hates her body sometimes too, right?” Lyra asked after out laughing ended. I choked on air as I stared at her.

“Wait really? Sunset is like perfect!” I exclaimed in disbelief. She was gorgeous, strong and kind hearted.

“She does have the scars from where her wings were,” Bon Bon reminded me as we all collectively shuddered. That night had been the most scared I think I’ve ever been other than the changelings. At least Sunset never bullied me when she was a bully. She was almost protective of me in a way, even back then.

“I have to go!” I exclaimed as I stood up. I started to run off to find Sunset.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Lyra shouted at me.

“To find Sunset and tell her she has a nice body!”

I faintly made out Lyra and Bon Bon facepalming with smirks.

I glanced around as I looked for Sunset. I spotted her red hair as she leaned against the main cabin that held Gloriosa’s office as she grimaced before jogging down the steps and bumped into Flash Sentry as I narrowed my eyes.

Nothing against him but I didn’t really trust Flash, given his past with Sunset and dating. I may have skipped my anxiety meds this past week. I mean, I’ve been doing well without them so I can skip them for a week or so.

“Looking for my ear ring!” Sunset exclaimed and I raised an eyebrow. Sunset didn’t wear ear rings unless we were on a date. She hastily grabbed something off the ground and shoved it in her pocket. “Found it!”

“Have you heard from Twilight recently?” Flash asked hopefully and I felt a pang of sympathy.

“Sorry to say this Flash but Twilight is a princess in Equestria,” Sunset hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder. “She can’t really come back and forth. I’m sorry to say but nothing will happen between you two. She’s dating Adagio.”

“You don’t pull any punches do you?” Flash asked as Sunset removed her hand and gently punched his shoulder.

“Not really my style,” Sunset chuckled as she smiled at me before strolling away. I walked up and patted Flash’s shoulder as he sighed and I clenched my hand around his shoulder.

“Ow Derpy that hurts!” Flash yelped as Sunset paused and looked back worriedly.

“I heard that sigh,” I said quietly and threateningly. “Sunset is my girlfriend. Don’t get any ideas.” Flash gave me a confused look as I heard footsteps running up.

“Derpy?”

I looked up at Sunset’s concerned face as my eyes widened. I hastily let go of Flash’s should and took off to my tent. Okay, maybe I do need my anxiety meds after all.

“Derpy?” Sunset grabbed me as I quit looking for my meds. “What are you looking for?”

“My meds,” I admitted sheepishly. I didn’t know she had followed me. “I may have quit taking them because I was doing so well without them until I hurt Flash. I can’t find them.”

“Wait here,” Sunset instructed as she walked out. I sat down miserably as Raindrops gave me a confused look. Sunset quickly returned and gave a medicine bottle a shake. “You asked me to pack them for you about three weeks before we left in case you forgot. They’re cut up like how you prefer.”

Sunset twisted it open and poured two halves into my palm and I swallowed them as Raindrops tossed me a water bottle as we gave her a grateful look and I drank the water.

“I’m so needy,” I muttered under my breath.

“You realize I’m needy too?” Sunset pointed out as she sat next to me. “You helped me after I had nightmares of me becoming a demon, the changelings and more. And my random panic attacks. And my random angry outbursts. I’d say you’ve helped me more in all honestly.” I sighed and rubbed my cheek against Sunset’s as she quickly returned the gesture.

“Oh lord what would I do without you?” I muttered as we hugged. Sunset rolled her eyes as she pressed a hand against my chest and I blushed slightly.

“I think the real question is what would I do without you, Derpy.”

We sat like this for a while till I remembered what I needed to tell Sunset.

“Hey Sunset?”

“Mhm?” Sunset mumbled into my neck.

“You have a nice body.”

We burst out laughing as I faintly made out Raindrops snickering. We fell backwards on the bed as I pulled the blanket on top of us as we fell asleep.

Author's Note

I decided to change it and make it where Sunset never 0bullied Derpy. It just works better and makes sense.

Chapter Forty Six

Derpy

I dropped a plank of wood down next to the recently redestroyed dock. Apparently someone certain pink haired girl had accidentally destroyed it with shocker, yet another boat.

Applejack gently was hammering the nails as Rainbow raised an eyebrow before dropping her box of nails.

“Trying to not break the boards?” Octavia asked as she added some boards to my pile.

“Ah ain’t got a clue what ya mean,” Applejack grumbled as she rolled her eyes. “Ahm just hammerin my boards.”

“Uh huh,” Rainbow commented with a frown.

“And why ain’t ya two runnin around?” Applejack demanded as she glared. “Ya got Trixie teleporting, Lightning and Rainbow with super speed, Rarity making gems and shit.”

“We really need to talk about this new magic,” Sunset sighed as she stared at us. “I got new magic too. I can see memories if I touch people.”

“I think something bad is going to happen,” Octavia commented as she nailed a board in.

“Whaddaya mean?” Lightning asked as she sat crosslegged on the ground and ignored the look Rarity gave her. Sea Swirl leaned against the boards as she watched us curiously.

“I think I can like see the future maybe? Seems weird I know but I just know something is going to happen. I see tiny pieces here and there. Something about the camp behind surrounded in woods,” Octavia admitted as we all looked at each other.

“Fascinating,” Sunset mused as she stood up. “Anyone see Lavender?” We all shook our heads as a brush of cold air made me shiver.

“I’m right here,” a voice next to me said as I glanced over and scrambled back. There was no one there. “Oh sorry.” Lavender suddenly appeared as we stared at her.

“Woah!” Vinyl shouted as we all cringed and covered our ears. She had apparently gotten a really loud voice recently. I blame magic for this mess.

“I can go invisible and stuff. Fuchsia recently walked through a wall,” Lavender explained as she sat down. “It was pretty scary the first few times.”

“I woke up floating,” Bon Bon grumbled as she glared at Lyra as Lyra blushed.

“I apologized!”

“Funny so did-” Sunset paused as Twilight elbowed her and Vinyl raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t. Twilight is the only one who doesn’t have new magic along with Derpy.”

“I don’t trust this dang place,” Sea Swirl announced. “It’s so similar to the Everfree forest back home. I live close to it. I don’t like it.”

“The Everfree forest isn’t natural,” Sunset explained. “It works outside of Equestrias laws of nature. The pegasi can’t even control the weather over it, the earth ponies can’t control the plants and we unicorns can’t change the magical make up of the forest either. We’ve tried and it just breaks through.”

“You don’t think something from the Everfree forest could be causing this?” Sonata asked nervously as the three Equestrians looked nervous.

“I hope not,” Sunset muttered. “And I’m really hoping a Timberwolf or a Cockatrice didn’t get loose in here. If it did, then we’re all screwed pretty much.”

“A what?” Lightning asked as Vinyl covered her mouth to hid a grin. A rare look of fear crossed Sunset, Sea Swirl and Sonata’s faces as the three shuddered.

“A Timberwolf. It’s a wolf made of wood. They can’t be killed unless you burn them,” Sunset explained nervously. “They got restricted to the Everfree forest after they attacked a village and killed some ponies. I’ve never seen one but I know they aren’t to be messed with. I’d run in the opposite direction as fast as I could.”

“So what now?” Lyra asked as a howling wolf made us all jump nervously and sit closer to each other. Sunset stood up a faint smile.

“I’ll tell you what we do.”

After a surprisingly motivating song about embracing magic and all that, the dock was completed in a matter of hours. I didn’t really want to accidentally destroy so I sat next to Twilight and watched.

“Hey Twilight,” I smiled faintly at the purple girl next to me.

“Oh hey Derpy,” Twilight forced a smile and my smile was quickly replaced with a frown. “How are you?”

“Good you?”

“I’m fine thanks,” Twilight sighed and I raised an eyebrow. I waited quietly as Twilight glanced at me.

“I can feel something is wrong,” I muttered as Twilight’s jaw dropped slightly. “I can feel your emotions somehow, you’re afraid of something. Or someone.”

“You think your magic is going to make you ugly?’ Twilight added before hastily adding, “Not that I have any new magic of course!” Octavia glanced over and raised an eyebrow. I nodded subtly and narrowed my eyes. That was her tell that someone was lying.

“I don’t think so,” I answered with a smile. “Turned the Rainbooms and my friends into something beautiful. And it will do it to you when you get your magic.” A bright golden glow surrounded me as my hair grew even longer than it normally was and my ears grew pointy. Twilight and the others covered their eyes as the glow faded a bit.

“Woah,” I faintly heard Rainbow mutter in awe.

“You know who Sunset was?” I asked Twilight curiously as she shrugged.

“She mentioned pieces here and there. Pretty vague about her past.”

Well, Easter Eggs. There goes my inspiring speech. And yes, I just Easter Eggs. I don’t really swear so I come up with replacement words.

“Okay well uh your magic will come soon I bet!” I grinned and hugged Twilight. “Sunset’s did, Lyra’s did and I did. Heck, even Trixie got new magic!” Not only could Trixie teleport, when she played Applejacks bass, she almost knocked us all over with a soundwave from the instrument.

“Maybe,” Twilight muttered as I let go and she stood up. “I doubt it. Thanks Derpy.”

“No problem,” I said as I glanced at Applejack and jerked my head in Twilight’s direction as Applejack hastily nodded and ran after Twilight. “Interesting.”

We may have decided to have someone be with Twilight at all times in case she tried to run off again. Even if they didn’t know why, it still helped us out a bit.

“Who wants muffins?” I shouted and opened the sitting container next to me.

“Watch out below!” Trixie shouted as we all looked up as Trixie appeared above me and fell on her stomach next to me.

“Hey Trixie.”

“Hey Derpy.”

“What are you up to?” I asked curiously and snickered.

“Oh you know, just dropping by.”

Chapter Forty Seven

Trixie

“Where’s Sunset and Twilight?” Rainbow asked in frustration as she paced in front of the dock. “We gotta show off these two new songs and get peoples opinions about em!”

“Something is wrong,” Derpy mumbled worriedly. “With those two. I can feel it. They are both afraid. Sunset is mainly frustrated.”

“We’ll go look for em,” Raindrops and Cloudkicker volunteered as they jumped up. “I need to find my brother anyway. We will call you when we find em. Probably out on the lake or hiking.” Derpy gave a grateful nod as the two ran off. I’d have sent Derpy but well Cloudkicker is more athletic for hiking trails.

“They better be afraid if they don’t get here!” Rainbow grumbled under her breath. “We need them. Sunset and Twilight both have great singing voices!”

“Where is Sunny Flare and Coco?” Octavia asked curiously as she leaned against a board.

“Helping Rarity design the outfits for the fashion show,” Lavender explained as we gazed at Cheerilee, Celestia and Luna with a few classmates waiting.

“We gotta start without them,” Fuchsia said as she swung her legs back and forth. “Besides, it’s just a test. It’s not an actual concert and we don’t have our instruments except Applejack and Vinyl.”

“Alright,” Rainbow nodded and glanced outwards. “Bon Bon, Derpy, Fluttershy and Sunset have been working for a few weeks on these covers so we hope ya like em.”

“Where were you when the world stopped turnin that September day? Were you in the yard with your wife and children or workin’ on some stage in L.A.? Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke risin’ against that blue sky. Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor or did you just sit down and cry?” Octavia sang softly as Applejack played her bass. I’ll never admit this but I loved Octavia’s singing. It was very peaceful.

“Did you weep for the children, who lost their dear loved ones. Pray for the ones who don’t know? Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble and sob for the ones left below?” Derpy and Fluttershy added quietly as I inhaled.

“Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue and the heroes who died just doin’ what they do? Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer and look at yourself and what really matters?” I sang as the three faculty glanced at me.

“I’m just a singer of simple songs. I’m not a real political person. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young. Faith, hope, and love are some good things he gave us and the greatest is love,” Lyra and Rainbow sang as I subtly bobbed my head.

“Where were you when the world stopped turnin that September day? Teachin’ a class full of innocent children or drivin down some cold interstate? Did you feel guilty ‘cause you’re a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her? Did you dust off that Bible at home?” Applejack and Lavender sang quietly as I blinked as Applejack nodded at Celestia and Luna.

“Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened? Close your eyes and not go to sleep? Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages and speak to some stranger on the street? Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow, go out and buy you a gun?” Vinyl added with a surprisingly somber expression. She was the more playful member of the group.

“Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’ and turn on I Love Lucy reruns? Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers, stand in line to give your own blood? Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family, thank God you had somebody to love?” Fuchsia added.

“I’m just a singer of simple songs. I’m not a real political person. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young. Faith, hope, and love are some good things he gave us and the greatest is love,” Sonata and Bon Bon sang.

“”I’m just a singer of simple songs. I’m not a real political person. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young. Faith, hope, and love are some good things he gave us and the greatest is love,” I sang as the growing crowd stared at me. I will never publicly admit believing in love because that’s too feely for me but I do. “And the greatest is love.”

“And the greatest is love,” Fluttershy whispered in a quiet voice that made me strain to hear her.

“Where were you when the world stopped turnin’ on that September day?” Octavia sang as we all inhaled. Singing takes a lot of energy, especially for Lightning when she does her screaming metal rap stuff that she loves.

“We got one more so just wait,” Rainbow announced as a few people clapped.

“Ah hear people saying we don’t need this war. Ah say there’s some things worth fighting for. What about our freedom and this piece of ground? We didn’t get to keep ‘em by backing down. They say we don’t realize the mess we’re getting in. Before you start your preaching, let me ask you this my friend,” Applejack sang as she stood up with her bass.

“Have you forgotten how it felt that day. To see your homeland under fire and her people blown away? Have you forgotten when those towers fell, we had neighbors still inside going through a living hell,” Rainbow sang as she clenched a fist. “And you say we shouldn’t worry ‘bout Bin Laden. Have you forgotten?”

“They took all the footage off my TV. Said it’s too disturbing for you and me. It’ll just breed anger that’s what the experts say. If it was up to me I’d show it everyday. Some say this country’s just out looking for a fight. After nine eleven man I’d have to say that’s right!” Lightning sang with a hint of anger in the back of her voice.

“Have you forgotten how it felt that day. To see your homeland under fire and her people blown away? Have you forgotten when those towers fell, we had neighbors still inside going through a living hell,” Bon Bon sang quietly. “And you say we shouldn’t worry ‘bout Bin Laden. Have you forgotten?”

“I’ve been there with the soldiers who’ve gone away to war and you can bet that they remember just what they’re fighting for!” I sang and clenched both my fists. I kinda kept the fact that my dad was in the army a secret because I don’t want pity so this lyric I specifically requested. We planned to have played taps here but well, no drums. “Have you forgotten all the people killed? Some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field! Have you forgotten about our Pentagon? All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on. Don’t you tell me not to worry about Bin Laden. Have you forgotten?”

“Have you forgotten?” Lyra sang and closed her eyes.

“Have you forgotten?” Pinkie asked quietly as Applejack set her bass down. We waited nervously as I stared at a large majority of my classmates with depressed expressions.

The expressions quickly changed as Celestia started clapping along with Luna as Cheerilee quickly followed along with our classmates.

Author's Note

Fun fact: I was born in February of 2001. My mom always tells me we were asleep together on the couch when her mom called and told her to turn the news on as we watched the TV together. I don't remember this obviously because I was a few months old but yeah.

All rights belong to Alan Jackson and Darryl Worley.

Chapter Forty Eight

Fluttershy

I rested my hands on the ground in front of me as Rarity adjusted the collar of Lyra’s jacket. Footsteps made me glance up as Blueberry Cake and Tennis Match sat in front of me.

I didn’t know the fashionista or athlete that well but they seemed nice.

“We really liked those songs,” Blueberry said finally as she played with her sunglasses.

“Super moving!” Tennis Match chimed in with a small smile. “I noticed Trixie had a lot of lines. Just circumstance or?”

“Circumstance,” Trixie said instantly as she smoothed down the dress Rarity gave her. “Trixie asked for them. She originally wanted to salute but she felt that would be disrespectful so she refrained from it.”

“Makes sense,” Blueberry admitted as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Wanna hang out with me and Tennis sometime, Trixie?”

“Why?” Trixie asked incredulously as she looked at them. “Don’t you think Trixie is an annoying braggart?”

“No,” Tennis answered with a smile. “It’s an act for your show. Obviously.”

“Trixie appreciates it,” Trixie nodded slightly. “Trixie will consider it. She is a busy girl.”

“We understand,” Blueberry nodded slowly. “You uh lose anyone? In you know?”

“No, Trixie did not. Trixie’s friends sat down and watched a lot of footage from that day to be as accurate and respectful as possible. She and her friends fully believe it is a good cause to spread the message because those who died cannot spread their story. Trixie fully believes there is no greater love than laying down ones life for another.”

I made nervous eye contact as the two other girls eyes widened. I will admit, I never knew Trixie was this way until I got to know her. She always came of as well loud and rude, which I didn’t like for obvious reasons. Loudness hurts my head and rude is well rude.

“We plan to have guitars in the background, a piano and a violin in the complete versions for both songs,” I said quietly.

“I love violins,” Blueberry sighed contently as a loud scream startled us. We all glanced up at a floating girl and Trixie screamed.

“Gaia Everfree!”

“Gloriosa?” Timber asked worriedly as he stepped forward. “What have you done?”

“That’s Gloriosa?” Applejack asked in shock as we all stared at the floating girl.

“Where is my girlfriend?” Derpy demanded as Lavender and Rainbow pulled her back worriedly. “Gah!” The three fell over when a large vine knocked them over.

“I have waited for the day to send this greedy wolf away. Now the magic is my salvation. Gather close in my protection. We will stand for Everfree,” Gloriosa sang as a large wall of branches surrounded the camp. We all jumped behind a canoe as Derpy and the others ran.

“Why do bad things only happen to us?” I asked in frustration. A wall of brambles enveloped the gazebo Trixie and a few others had taken shelter in.

“Trixie!” Lavender shouted as Fuchsia and herself ran to where Trixie was.

“We hold the beauty of nature and all its glory. No need to fear the vultures at the door. Right here you have me to protect you. Within these walls of thorns
Forever free, forevermore!” Gloriosa shouted as Derpy hid behind Celestia and Luna with Octavia as Gloriosa stroked Starlights chin before she fled.

“The others are going to just teleport out or something,” Rainbow muttered. “The shadowbolts already got captured. Fluttershy, take Lyra and Bon Bon to the edge. We got to get them out so they can get us help. Applejack, help Sonata by trying to destroy the tree branches. Rarity, Lightning, try to save as many people as you can. Pinkie, Sea Swirl, blow up the trees. I’ll try to get as many people as I can too.”

“You got it!” Lightning exclaimed as she pressed a hand to the ground before taking off, leaving a trail of gold and green behind her. She dragged a screaming Rarity behind her.

“They have come into our domain. Here to seal our camp in chains. But we have held it for generations. This is just a complication. We will stand for Everfree.”

I tapped the ground and a few animals dug up from the ground, looking at me expectantly.

“Uhm hello there gorgeous creatures,” I said softly as I ponied up. “Can you dig up a hole so my friends can get help?”

“I’m not leaving,” Lyra said adamantly and slammed her foot on the ground. “I’m staying.”

“You have to,” I insisted. “Get help. We will buy you as much time as we can. Go!”

“Fine,” Lyra muttered as she and Bon Bon forced smiles. I tumbled backwards as vines shot out of the hole as Lyra, Bon Bon and another classmate were trapped by the branches.

“Well this sucks,” I muttered as a rainbow blur picked me up.

“Trust in me, this is for your own good. Don’t be afraid, nature is our friend. All of this beauty that surrounds us. Every lovely bloom designed to defend,” Gloriosa sang as she climbed on a bird bath. That made me upset, now the birds bathing area is gone.

“Oof!” Lightning grunted as a tree branch tripped her.

“Fuck,” Rainbow cursed under her breath. “At least Scootaloo and the other kids are on the other side of the camp with Cheerilee so they are fine.”

“For now!” Applejack called out as she pushed Rarity to the side. “Save it, Rarity!”

“Let them come, just let them try. I’m not about to say goodbye. This camp will be here throughout the ages. Written into the history pages. We will stand for Everfree.” Gloriosa held her hands up as the sun was blocked by her trees and the dock was ripped apart as Rainbow stared at it in anger.

“Oh, come on!” Rainbow shouted. “We just got done building that! Again!”

“Not the runway!” Rarity pressed a hand to her head and fell backwards.

“Dock Rarity, the dock! Not runway, dock!”

“Wherever Sunset and Twilight are, I hope they’re having more luck than us,” Rainbow muttered.

I nodded and stepped back nervously. Why do bad things always happen to us?

Chapter Forty Nine

Sunset

“Damn it!” I fumed and kicked the wall of branches. Gloriosa had freaking trapped us in a cave, the little psychopath. Or well, the corrupted magic version is. Normal Gloriosa is nice. “Twilight, use your magic or something!”

“I can’t! What if she returns?” Twilight asked worriedly and I growled.

“Our friends are in there!” I snapped and flung an arm behind me as I vaguely recognized I ponied up. “Derpy, Trixie, Rainbow and Pinkie to name a few. Are you seriously willing to let them be trapped in there?”

“It’s too risky!” Twilight shot back and I sighed.

“Sunset!”

I glanced up and stepped back slightly. Raindrops, Snips and Snails, Cloudkicker, mom and my sisters were running toward me with confused expressions.

“We volunteered to go look for you,” Cloudkicker panted as she placed a hand on her knee. “Things are going crazy it seems.”

“Why?” Silver Spoon asked as she nervously traced a finger on the root.

“It’s Gloriosa. She’s gone off the deep end with her magic she found in the forest. Sea Swirl was right about something from Equestria ending up here,” I explained as Snails rubbed his chin. “What are you two doing here?”

“Snips and my brother here were filling up water balloons to throw at me, Kicker and a few others,” Raindrops frowned as she glared at Snails.

“And Rarity! That would have been hilarious. She always has the best overreactions,” Snips sighed and kicked a twig.

“I’ll deal with that later because you’re both right actually,” I shook my head. “Twilight, Midnight Sparkle isn’t you. You’re Twilight and you got this. We have to get in there.”

“Absolutely not!” Mom announced and grabbed my arm. “You aren’t going in there. Everytime you deal with something Equestrian, you get hurt and it’s not happening again. You’re staying right here.”

“Twilight and I are the only ones with magic, remember?” I shot back. “Do we really want to leave everyone trapped in there?” Mom may have her own element but she hasn’t gained any new magic to my knowledge.

“Send Twilight then. You are staying. Let someone else take the risk for once,” Mom grumbled and started pulling me away.

“Let me go!” I shouted and tried to dig my boots into the dirt.

“Let her go,” Silver Spoon said quietly and got between us. “She has to do this. She’s made up her mind.”

Mom paused and looked at the two of us before the branches as a silver glow surrounded Silver Spoon and her ears became pointy as her hair grew longer.

“You better come back,” Mom warned and narrowed her eyes as she let me. “Go. Save the world, my hero. But we aren’t done talking about this!”

Probably the best deal I was going to get. Twilight nodded as she ripped the wall apart with her magic and I grabbed two water balloons.

“I’m borrowing these,” I said as I stepped to the hole.

“Just return em after!” Snips shouted. “We need all the balloons we can get. We didn’t bring many.” I rolled my eyes but nodded.

“Get to somewhere safe. I don’t know what’s about to happen,” I warned as Raindrops pulled Snails and the others back behind a tree. I guess that worked too.

Twilight and I jumped through as the brambles rebuilt themselves and I took the scene in with wide eyes. I only saw Rainbow and the others. No Lyra, no Derpy or Octavia.

“Gloriosa stop!” Timber shouted as he swung an axe.

“That’s not your sister,” I said coldly as I stepped next to him. “She’s been taken over by Equestrian magic.”

“By what?”

“No time to explain!” Twilight snapped to my amazement. Gotta admit, never thought I’d see Twilight yell. Then again, I never expected Princess Twilight to scream, curse and slap Rarity when the Rainbooms betrayed me.

“Hey Pinkie!” I shouted as the others turned and stared. “Catch!” I threw the water balloon and Rainbow jumped up to catch it before handing it to Pinkie.

“What do I do with it?” Pinkie demanded as she ducked under a vine.

“Throw it!

“At who?”

“Her!” I shouted and jerked my head to Gloriosa. I don’t know if this will actually work or not. Pinkie might only be able to weaponize baked goods but it’s worth a shot.

Pinkie nodded and threw the balloon. We watched it arc through the air and slam into Gloriosa’s chest, slamming her into the ground. I jogged forward and placed a boot on her chest.

“Don’t move,” I warned her. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I want to help you. We all do.” Gloriosa growled and I gave her a confused look as she yanked my legs out from under me with her hand and floated in the sky.

“Well that didn’t work,” I said sheepishly. “Shit.” A gem igloo formed around us as did a bunch of branches.

“Normally I’d chastise you for cursing but I do believe that is an appropriate reaction darling.”

“You’re damn right it is!” Rainbow shouted as cracks started forming in the gems exterior.

“I can’t hold it much longer!” Rarity exclaimed as sweat dripped off her chin and fell backwards as Applejack caught her.

“Use your magic!” I grabbed Twilight and gave her my best puppy dog eyes. Derpy and my sisters had that skill down pat, hopefully I looked somewhat similar.

“I’m nervous!” Twilight grumbled as Rainbow shot a look at her.

“We’re not the only ones here who are trapped!” Rainbow growled as she and Pinkie stepped back. “Don’t be a coward. I know you’re gonna say I’m being mean but you need a kick in the ass like my parents gave me. Now use your magic and prove to them you aren’t Midnight Sparkle! Prove it to yourself!”

“Okay,” Twilight nodded after a moment. Rainbow may have unconventional methods but damn do they work. The brambles exploded as Twilight glowed a bright purple and I patted her shoulder.

“You got this!”

“We got this together,” Pinkie added. “It’s the Festival of Frie- oh sorry, that song doesn’t happen till technically a few years from now.”

“Kick Midnights ass,” Rainbow called out as she and the others ponied up.

“Language!”

“Seriously? Sunset can say shit but I can’t say ass?”

I tuned them out as the geodes on Gloriosa’s necklace broke and one landed in my palm. A large rainbow shot out of us and sent Gloriosa flying as she reverted to her normal self and my classmates stumbled out of their nature prisons.

“Sunset!” I spun around and my eyes slightly widened at Derpy and the others matching myself and the Rainbooms.

“Oh god that was trippy,” Lightning groaned as she rubbed her head. She gave a disgusted look at her dress before looking at her wings. “God this dress is ugly.”

I hastily hugged Derpy as Lavender and Trixie helped Sea Swirl up. I felt something in my palm as I released Derpy and opened it.

“I think these belong to you all,” I smiled faintly as I held up the grey geode along with a cream one among the pile. I handed them out as Bon Bon made a ooh sound. Trixie turned hers in her palm with a faint smile before pocketing it. “Wait, where is Spike?”

“Chasing a squirrel!” Spike called out as the dog ran between Sea Swirls legs.

“So what now?” Sonata asked as she brushed her hair a bit. “The camp is destroyed again.”

“Fuck my life,” Indigo groaned as I glanced at the Shadowbolts laying in a pile. “You guys are bad news magnets.”

“I know what we do,” Octavia said as she kicked a tree branch. “We rebuild.”

“Who’s in?” I smirked and held out a hand. Sea Swirl and the others placed their hands ontop of mine with nods.

“Let’s go Nerd Herd!” We shouted as Celestia started cheering.

We all slowly gave her confused looks as she blushed and shrugged.

Chapter Fifty

Bon Bon

“So how do we save the camp?” I asked as I sat on top of a rock, toying with my cream, pink and blue geode on the necklace around my neck.

“We clean up the place Twilight, Spike and I got trapped in,” Sunset explained as she read a checklist with her other arm around Derpy. “Lightning and Rainbow are the fastest among us so they are on invitations. Lyra and Twilight are using their magic to levitate stuff around, you and Pinkie are making the food with Sweetie Belle and Sea Swirl. Lemon wants to help too.”

“You got it,” I nodded as a rainbow and green gold blue took off past us. Lucky. All I got is baking magic and other minor stuff.

“Octavia and Applejack are cleaning up along with me,” Sunset said. “Derpy and Fluttershy are getting the animals out, Sunny Flare, Coco and Rarity are on decorations. Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet are on keeping the rest of our classmates in line. Indigo and the soccer team are moving the trash we create to the dump pile we have made till Big Mac can come collect it.”

“Who’s on look out if Filthy Rich comes back?” Octavia asked curiously as we all looked at Cheerilee talking to her daughters.

“Sour and High Winds are,” Sunset answered instantly. “They know to text me if anything happens.”

“Good,” Lyra folded her arms. “I’m gonna get started. I’ll see you guys around.”

I jumped off my rock with Pinkie, Sweetie, Sea Swirl and Lemon.

“What was it like?” Sunset asked quietly. “Being in the nature prison thing.”

“It sucked,” I answered with a sigh. “Lyra refused to use her magic and leave me behind, even if meant helping. I love her but she can be stubborn. Trixie told me she tried to teleport out but it didn’t work.”

“And I couldn’t walk through,” Fuchsia muttered with a groan. “It was like she was blocking us somehow from using our magic inside it.”

“Magical dampeners are a thing in Equestria,” Sea Swirl commented. “It goes on a unicorns horn. Prevents them from using their magic. I’m assuming she made the brambles into essentially a nature version.”

“Sorry this break from Equestria didn’t go as you planned,” Lavender kicked a rock as Applejack lifted a large boulder and threw it.

“Are you kidding? This is insane! My life is barely this intense back home!”

Well, that’s one way to look at it I suppose.

“Alright, be very careful Sweetie Belle,” I warned as I handed her a plate of cupcakes. “The plate is very hot. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” Or someone else, I silently added.

“You got it!” The younger girl chirped happily as she bounced to a table and I turned around.

“Alright Pinkie you can-” I began and paused as Pinkie tossed a cookie at Lemon Zest with almost hyperspeed as it shot down Lemons throat. “Go to your drums. Rainbow and the others are waiting. We got this.”

Pinkie tossed me a salute as she ran off with a pink blur behind her. Some days I wonder if she was injected with caffeine instead of blood at birth.

“Are we sure only Rainbow and Lightning got super speed?” Sweetie Belle asked as she joined me and Sea Swirl.

“I have no idea,” I shook my head and picked Pinkies plate of cookies.

“Ya know, it’s weird your Lightning Dust is this well responsible I guess?” Sea Swirl said casually. “Back home, Sassaflash told me our worlds Lightning Dust hurt her and Rainbow Dash just to get into the Wonderbolts. She also almost killed our worlds elements with a tornado to bust clouds. I think I like your worlds Lightning Dust more.”

“Maybe your worlds Lightning is like this, just hides it well!” Sweetie Belle suggested with a grin. Sea Swirl smirked and patted her on the head.

“Oh stay innocent Sweetie Belle. Maybe she is, maybe she isn’t. Nopony knows where she is,” Sea Swirl shrugged as she flexed her fingers. “I know your counterpart. And Pinkies. Your counterpart did something similar to anon a miss back home.”

“Oh,” Sweetie Belles face fell. “You know about that?”

“Yeah,” Sea Swirl answered as she frowned faintly. “I went to school with Sunset. Granted, she was a bully back then but she’s nice now. She told us all everything. Your counterparts called it Gabby Gums, released the townsponies secrets to get their cutie marks in journalism. Mine wasn’t that bad compared to some of the others.”

“Was it dolphin related?” Sweetie asked as she pointed to Sea Swirls dress and the two swimming dolphins that I vaguely remember seeing on her flanks. “Also, do you keep your cutie mark here or does it disappear? How did you know how to shower and use the bathroom here?”

“One question at a time please,” Sea Swirl snickered as she sat down on a chair as we listened to the Rainbooms music. It was okay song. Definitely not my favorite. I adjusted the bandana in my hair as I sat down. “It wasn’t. I do keep my cutie mark here. It’s on my thigh. Sunset has one too. And Sunset helped me figure out how to shower and use the bathroom here. In detail. It was a very awkward conversation.”

I can confirm it was. I was there with Lyra and Derpy. I honestly thought four out of the five of us were going to have our heads explode from how red we were blushing. I’ll let you decide you wasn’t blushing. Her name starts with L and ends with an A.

“Well I’ll be back,” I smirked slightly as I stood up. “I have a girlfriend to rein in.” I strode over to Lyra and placed a hand on her waist. “You know, it’s kinda rude to not invite your own girlfriend to dance, right?”

“You never seemed interested before,” Lyra commented as her eyes flicked to me. “Sorry.”

“I’m teasing silly.”

“Oh.”

Lyra spun me around and I yelped at the sudden movement as I watched Sunset approach Derpy from behind with a grin.

“Hey there,” Sunset covered Derpys eyes. “Come with me.”

“Uh where to?” Derpy asked in confusion as Sunset uncovered her eyes.

“Dance of course. Duh.”

“I have no idea how to,” Derpy admitted sheepishly.

“Nor do I. Guess we will learn together.”

“Okay,” Derpy shrugged nervously as Sunset placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Hey Derpy!” I called out with a large grin.

“Yes Bonnie?” Derpy asked with a blush.

“I love you and all, but why do you have a birds nest on your head?”

Sunset bit back a smirk as the three of us looked at Derpys head as Derpy shrugged.

“Why not?”

Good enough reason as any I suppose.

Chapter Fifty One

Diamond Tiara

I leaned against the wall of the crystal cave and admired my pink dress in the reflection. Mom may not allow me and the others to wear super short dresses and skirts, so all I had was modest clothing. I was perfectly fine with that but Silver Spoon wasn’t as usual.

“Where’s Sunset?” Silver asked as she posed with a hand on her hip as I examined her silver dress.

“Making out with Derpy around the corner,” I said with a mischievous smirk. Derpy was cool. She liked hanging out with me.

“I think I know how that’s going to end,” Scootaloo grinned with a wink. “Mainly with harder and yes being shouted. Multiple times.”

“You’re disgusting,” I scoffed and flicked her cheek. Scootaloo was the more dirty out of the four of us, when it comes to her jokes and such.

“Seriously!” Silver chimed in with a frown.

“I’m going back to my cabin. We leave in a few days as is,” I shrugged as the three of us started to walk to the exit.

“Where are you going?” Sugarcoat asked and pushed her glasses up as she sat cross legged on the floor next to Sour Sweet.

“Cabin,” Silver said simply as the two girls stood up.

“Sunset requested we keep you out of trouble,” Sour smirked and cracked her knuckles as I gulped. “I absolutely adore watching over children.”

“We are fine,” I rolled my eyes as I kept walking with my sisters. “Thanks for the concern though.”

The two girls paused and looked at each other as Scootaloo gave me a smirk.

“Wanna race to the cabin?”

“I’m in a dress!” I shot back and glared at her. “I’m not ruining my good dress to indulge you and your crazy athleticism.”

“Athletawhat?” Scootaloo asked in confusion as we kept walking.

“Nothing.”

We opened the tent flap and stepped inside. I scrunched up my nose in faith disgust at the mess and smell.

“What on earth happened here?” I demanded and wheeled on my sisters. “I just cleaned in here!”

“It wasn’t me!” Scootaloo said hastily with a confused expression. I sighed and nodded.

“Okay. Let’s just clean this up, you know how mom and I are about cleanliness.”

“Okay,” Scootaloo sighed as I picked up some underwear with a pen and tossed it on Scootaloos bed. I raised and eyebrow, freezing as I glanced outside.

“Did you guys hear that?” I asked as my sisters shook their head. “I heard something outside. I’ll go check. Probably Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle trying to prank us.”

I would be the first to die in a horror movie or the zombie apocalypse. I stepped outside and looked around.

“I know you’re out here Bloom and Sweetie!” I called out. “If you trashed our cabin, I’m beating you up.”

“They’re not here,” Dad or well, Filthy I suppose I should call him. “Don’t scream. Just hear me out. I want my daughters back. I know I may have left Spoiled to raise you while I was gone often but it was to make money for you guys to have a way better life.”

“No,” I sighed and shook my head. “I know but I have a family now. That legitimately loves me. Sun-” Filthy placed a hand over my mouth and I gagged.

“Don’t,” Filthy pleaded. “I just want to talk.”

“Put the girl down.”

Filthy and I jumped slightly as our eyes widened. Sour Sweet was kneeling behind us with an arrow notched, aimed at Filthys head. Sugarcoat stood behind her with an arrow aimed as well with a frown.

“Unless you want a thirty inch hole in your head,” Sugarcoat added coldly as she narrowed her eyes.

“You won’t do it. You’re just a kid.”

“Try me,” Sour said coolly as she flexed a finger. “Do it Indigo.” An arrow whistled past my head and impaled in the ground in front of us. I flicked my eyes to a hidden Indigo Zap on the roof of a nearby cabin as she notched another arrow.

“Fine,” Filthy let me go and Sunny Flare gestured me over as I ran over and she hugged me. Lemon Zest stepped forward from behind Filthy and hit him with a bat. “Urgh!”

“Meet Lucy,” Lemon growled as she rested the bat on her shoulder. “Lucille was taken. Fucking Negan.”

“Are you hurt?” Sunny asked as she looked me up and down.

“I would never hurt her. That was Spoileds thing,” Filthy scoffed as he pushed himself up. That was true, he never did lay a hand on me or Silver.

“Get out of here,” I sighed and pointed. “Leave Camp Everfree alone. Just go and we will forget about all this.”

“Are you insane?” Sour hissed in my ear Indigo jumped off the cabin and jogged over. “He broke the law being around you. Lock him up!”

“No,” I said and shook my head. “While he never stood up for us, he always was nice. He gets this one opportunity to stay away and based off the arrow Indigo shot at him, I’d say he’s taking it seriously.”

“Fine,” Sour grumbled and folded her arms. “There better not be a next time.”

“How did you even know this was happening?” I demanded and stared at the Shadowbolts.

“We followed you,” Sugarcoat answered and rolled her eyes. “Cheerilee would have killed us if we let him leave with you. Besides, we’re classmates.”

“Uh what?”

“We kinda transferred schools,” Indigo rubbed the back of her head. “Principal Twinkleshine got fired because she wasn’t as strict as Cinch. She defended us all and fought against the school board and yeah. So Professor Moondancer, Lemon Hearts and Dean Cadence all quit in protest and they all got hired at chs. Principal Twinkleshine is teaching astronomy at chs next week. Lemon Hearts is doing a home ec class, Cadence is the counselor and Moondancer is teaching multiple sciences classes.”

“Crystal Prep is already shitty,” Lemon admitted sheepishly. “We didn’t even get thanked for getting the school the yacht party by our classmates so yeah. And we could learn more about friendship at the source.”

That made sense. Together, we watched Filthy get in his car and drive off.

Chapter Fifty Three

Sunset

I yawned and shifted in my seat as Derpy snored with her head on my lap. Lyra and Bon Bon sat across from me as the two snored loudly as a snickering Rainbow and Pinkie recorded them.

I would say something but frankly, I could tease them about it later. Those two had gotten a video of me slipping in the rain so friendly blackmail of course. I can use it to make them buy me a shake or something for my siblings and mom. Mom sat with an arm around Diamond as the two snored and I glanced at the geode on mom’s neck. I wasn’t that surprised she got one. If anyone deserved one for putting up with my ass, it’s here.

“I think I’m gonna vomit,” Sea Swirl moaned as she turned a faint shade of green and covered her mouth. She had chosen to ride with us in the bus and Lightning chose to ride with in Indigos truck.

“Do it out the window please darling,” Rarity fanned herself as she opened Sea Swirls window. “This dress is hand made. Very expensive material was used.”

“We get it Rarity,” Applejack muttered under her hat that she had placed over her head as she shifted a bit.

“That was so awesome!” Scootaloo shouted as Mom jumped up from her seat a bit. “Oops, sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you Mom.”

“You’re good,” Mom muttered and stretched. “Glad you all enjoyed yourselves. It was nice.”

I nodded my agreement as I watched Octavia and Sonata playing a card game as Vinyl drooled on the seat in her sleep. I didn’t really have a favorite part of camp, it was all epic. I’d have to say it was either sleeping next to Derpy or hanging out with Mom on the beach.

“I’m going to sleep. Wake me up and I will bite you,” I warned the entire bus sternly and narrowed my eyes slightly. It was about twelve in the morning and we had a few more hours till we got to Canterlot.

A few nervous laughs came from my few awake classmates as I closed my eyes and placed a hand on Derpys back.

“Hey wake up.” I faintly made out Trixie’s voice and something or someone shaking me. “Sunset, wake up. We’re at school.”

I yawned and slowly opened my eyes. In our sleep Derpy and I had somehow switched positions as stared at Derpys wide golden eyes with a blush.

“Hello.”

“Hey.”

“You were drooling on my head slightly so we kinda swapped. Surprised you slept through it,” Derpy grinned as I sat up. “Your mom already got your bags in the car.”

“Wait!” I exclaimed and looked around. “Where is Sea Swirl and Sonata? They didn’t go back home yet did they?”

“Nah!” Lemon Zest shouted as she jumped up from the outside of the bus. “They are waiting for you at the statue.” I jogged off the bus with a confused Derpy following me.

“Hey!” Sea Swirl called out and waved with a grin. She and Sonata were standing by the portal as they kicked a rock back and forth. “About freaking time you woke up.”

“Were you dreaming of tacos?” Sonata asked excitedly as she grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

“Uh no,” I admitted and shook my head. “I was dreaming of being in bed.” I had a feeling dreaming of tacos is what Sonata did often and after seeing what Pinkie thought of, I don’t think I was interested in reading another person’s memories so soon.

“Fair enough. I’m looking forward to being back with Sassaflash,” Sea Swirl admitted with a faint smile. “Two weeks is a long time to be away from the wife after all.” She and I hugged as Lavender approached.

“Hey can I talk to Sea Swirl for a moment and then you can have her back?” Lavender asked hopefully and brushed her blonde hair with her hand.

“Yeah of course,” I said as we separated and the two walked off to where I couldn’t hear them speak. “Be sure to smooth over relations with you sisters Sonata.”

“I’m fine with them both,” Sonata scoffed and waved her hand. “It’s Adagio and Aria who have issues with each other. I’ll try though. No promises. The last time we all three separated like this, the Civil War started.”

I gave her a stunned and a bit of a disgusted look at that information. The idea that three of my friends potentially started a deadly war was a bit concerning. I glanced back quickly at Trixie and Watermelody laughing about something.

I raised an eyebrow slightly as the two hugged. I didn’t know they had been this close. The last time I heard, they were in some sort of dating competition.

“Which side do you pick?” I asked cautiously as Sonata shrugged.

“The Union of course!” Sonata chirped and I sighed in relief. “Aria sided with the French and Adagio chose the Confederates for a bit before choosing to stay neutral.”

“Why?”

“Seriously?” Sonata gave me a surprisingly serious look. “Slavery was wrong. Adagio liked South Carolina and they started the war. After she saw General Sherman and his total war tactic of absolutely obliterating the country side plus the slave conditions, Adagio quietly renounced the South and became neutral. I know she doesn’t seem like the type, but Aria actually tried to negotiate peace.”

“Huh while this was uh enlightening, you better get back. I think your sister’s are awaiting you,” I pointed out as Sonata gasped dramatically, hugged me and jumped through the portal. “Well, that happened.”

“Yep,” Derpy agreed as Sea Swirl approached and hugged her.

“See you soon,” Sea Swirl smirked as she stepped through the portal.

“Crazy that I called us being kept hostage by a nature crazed camp director,” I mused as I slipped a hand into Derpy’s.

“I want a whole pile of muffins,” Derpy announced as she drooled. I snickered and wiped it off with my shirt sleeve. “Oh thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I said as we started walking.

“Can I spend the night?” Derpy asked hopefully and turned her puppy dog eyes face on.

“You know I can’t say no when you use that face.” Derpy gave me a mischievous smirk and winked at me as she bumped her hip against mine.

“I know.”

Chapter One

Sunset

“You what?” I asked in confusion as I stared at Derpys dad. Time Turner placed his arms on the table as he stared back at me.

“You’re going to Equestria with my daughter. Dinky and Amethyst have been begging me to let them go with you,” Time Turner said again with a smile.

“I heard the first time. Why though?” I asked curiously as Derpy hid her face in her hands.

“Well why not? Might as let them see where our future family is from!” He explained as Derpy and I turned bright red. “I’d go with myself but I have a heap of experiments and class work to do.”

“They wouldn’t be how they are now,” I said hastily in an attempt to dissuade him. Nothing against Derpys dad, he’s actually quite awesome but I already had Lightning and Lavender to teach how to walk like ponies. “They would be a pony.”

“Hey Dinky, Amethyst!” Time Turner called out and my blood ran cold. He wasn’t about to do what I think he was. Dinky bounded down the stairs happily as Amethyst followed a more subdued pace. “Wanna see where Sunset is from?” Yep, he did what I feared.

“Heck yeah!” Dinky shouted as she hugged me and stared up at me with wide eyes. “Can we go Miss Shimmer?” Derpy and I made eye contact, sighing. “I promise I’ll behave! Can’t vouch for Amethyst because she’s a trouble maker!”

“I am not!” Amethyst grumbled and folded her arms as Dinky stuck her tongue out at her as I chuckled behind my hand.

“Yeah sure.”

“Let me get this straight,” I groaned as I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “You, you, you, you and you all want to come as well?”

“Well duh!” Ruby announced as she grabbed my hand. “You’ve seen where we are from but we’ve never seen where you are from!”

“Mom wants to come too,” Bon Bon sheepishly added as she stirred her shake with her straw. “I tried to persuade her against it but once mom gets her mind set on something, there’s no changing her mind.”

“Besides Cheerilee has gone to Equestria,” Aunt Berry added with a smirk. “We wanna see it too.”

“Just know it’s gonna be hard to walk as ponies for a bit,” I warned. “Trixie is at a family reunion in Manhattan at the moment and Fuchsia went with her as a guest apparently. So I have my sisters, Derpys sisters, Lightning and Lavender, you all and Bon Bons mom to teach?”

“You can say no,” Aunt Cherry said sympathetically as she leaned against the Wondercolt statue. “I understand this is sudden and a big request.”

“We just really, really need a break from the wedding plans,” Aunt Minuette admitted from her spot on the ground. “We’re both exhausted and well, pony world is the one place we can’t be easily found.”

“Hopefully,” Aunt Berry grumbled under her breath as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

“I’m not about to be like no you can’t come,” I reassured them. “I’m down. At least I have the others to help me. You guys are gonna freaking love it.”

“She’s right,” Bon Bon agreed with a smile as Rainbow and the others approached with Cloudkicker, Raindrops, Blossomforth, Flitter and Cloudchaser.

“Hey Sunset!” Blossomforth said happily as I internally hoped they weren’t gonna ask to come with. Nothing against them of course. I quite enjoy Blossoms company.

“Hey Blossom,” I greeted her as I sipped my applejuice.

“How are you?” She asked and tucked her dress under her legs as she sat down.

“Good, you,” I answered honestly. “A bit tired but it’s okay.”

“I’m great!” Blossom exclaimed. “So you’re going to Equestria and we wondered if we could watch.”

“Watch?” I echoed in confusion as I made eye contact.

“Yeah like isn’t there a spell you could use to allow us to watch you from here?” Raindrops asked as she folded her arms on her lap.

“I could use the portals surface as a TV in a way,” I mused as I rubbed my chin. “Use some of it’s magic. Of course, it wasn’t meant to be used that way but it would work.”

“Epic!’ Rainbow exclaimed with a grin as she pumped her fist in the air. “Maybe next time we can come with you.”

“I’m down,” I shrugged as Lyra and rest approached as Sonata practically bounced up to us. “We can go to Yakyakistan or Stalliongrad. Your counterparts are pretty popular in Equestria so it’s hard to find a place where you aren’t known especially Twilight. The Yaks and the Roashians shouldn’t know you all.”

“The hell is a Roashian?” Lightning asked as she pressed a hand to the portal and shivered when it disappeared.

“Equestrias version of a Russian,” I explained simply as I stood up. “You all ready to go?”

“Ready!” Sonata beamed happily. “I’ve missed Equestrian soil. Can’t wait to get my hooves dug into the dirt.”

“Meh it’s gonna be okay,” Aria said as she tried to hide the smile on her face. The three had been asking me when they could go through, mainly Sonata. She’s been calling me everyday. Was half tempted to shut my phone off for a few days so I could sleep.

“Alright I really don’t want to end up on the bottom of a pony pile every time we go to Equestria,” I warned as Lyra chuckled. Blossomforth and Flitter gave us confused looks. “We’re going one at a time.”

“What happens when we go through?” Lavender asked nervously as she watched Lyra disappear through the portal as Blossomforth gasped. Derpy gave a smile as she followed Lyra.

“You’ll turn into a pony. Close your eyes. It’s easier to take it in,” I advised as Lavender hesitantly approached it. I gave her a nod and she stepped through.

“Do me a favor,” Cloudkicker said as she tapped my shoulder and I glanced at her.

“Name it.”

“Keep my cousin safe,” Cloudkicker said simply as I nodded.

“You got it,” I promised as I stepped to the portal and winked at my aunts and sisters. “See you all on the other side.”

They nodded nervously as I disappeared through the portal and fell onto my hooves. I was face to face with a light purple unicorn with a dark purple mane and blue stripe in her mane.

“Welcome back,” Starlight smiled warmly at me as Lavender laid next to Lightning groaning.

“Glad to be back.”

We watched as my friends and family tumbled onto the floor and smiled. Hopefully nothing too crazy would happen this time.

Author's Note

Starlight will be playing a much bigger role this time.

Chapter Sixteen

Berry Punch

I sat on the floor of a kids room next to my nieces and daughter as I cautiously watched my counterpart. She sat a few feet away talking to the pony version of my daughter, Scootaloo and some tiny unicorn filly.

“Is Sunset going to be okay?” Ruby asked worriedly as she gently tugged on my mane and I looked down slightly at her.

“Yes,” I said firmly with a confidence I wish I truly felt. In all honesty, I have no idea. “She will be back soon enough and then I’m going to give her a piece of my mind for scaring the hell out of us all.”

“Are you lying?” Diamond asked quietly and stared at me. “I don’t like being lied too and nor does Silver. We’ve been lied to enough by people.”

“I’m not lying,” I reassured her and awkwardly hugged her. It was a bit uncomfortable to do with hooves. She scarily had good intuition. I’m not a huge fan of lying but it is necessary at times.

“You know I’m not going to bite right?” My counterpart said casually and I glared at her. “You know, the changeling queen took Minuette, Lyra and Twinkleshine as mind controlled slaves during Princess Cadences wedding. Believe me when I say that pissed me off. Minuette is a good friend. Hope that bug gets squished.”

“Oh,” I muttered as I softened my glare.

“And if I was a changeling, don’t you think I’d have taken advantage of us being alone?” Pony Berry pressed as she stroked Pony Ruby’s mane. “If anything, I thought you guys were changelings. It’s not everyday you meet yourselves and find out they are from another world.”

“Fair point,” I conceded after a few moments and a faint smile played across her face. “Are you and Minuette dating here too?”

A faint blush spread across my counterparts face as she hastily shook her head. I tilted my head in confusion as she opened and closed her mouth before biting her lip.

“No we aren’t,” she said finally. “I’m a single mother. It’s how things are meant to go for me. Before Derpy got married, she and I used to have a single mothers thing where we met up every week end. Well we still meet up but it’s kinda different now.”

“Still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Derpy is married to her dad here,” I snickered as Pony Berry gave me a confused look. “In my world, Time Turner is her dad. I’m willing to bet it’s not the same thing here, is it?”

“I hope not,” she grimaced before she smirked. “If he was, she would have told me. He’s an inventor out of some town. I forgot where.”

“You guys should come with me,” Twinkleshine poked her head in with a unusually stern face. “Bon Bon and Lyra are back. And they brought the mirror.”

We all stood around the mirror in the cellar as we stared at our reflections. Sea Swirl hesitantly pressed a hoof against it and watched the surface ripple.

“Queen Chrysalis will be pleased!” Moondancer exclaimed happily as she clapped her hooves together and everyone gave her horrified looks. With a sigh, she flattered her ears against her head as her face fell. “Joking, joking. Sorry. Trying to expand my humor.”

“God don’t fucking do that to me,” Bon Bon muttered with a hoof pressed against her chest. “Almost gave me a heart attack. I’m too young to have a heart attack.”

“Wait how do we actually-” Sea Swirl started before Moondancer stuffed a lemon in her mouth.

“Beaker incident,” Moondancer said dryly.

“For the first time in my life I am grateful for that story,” Lemon Hearts grumbled under her breath. We all fell silent as we stared at the mirror.

“So how long have you been a secret agent?” Equestrian Minuette asked as she raised an eyebrow.

“About five years. My parents enlisted me to help me deal with my urges,” Bon Bon said flatly as she waved a hoof in the air. “Mainly my father.”

“What urges?” Lemon asked curiously as Bon Bon nodded to Lyra. “Oh.” An uncomfortable silence fell over the group as Bon Bon scuffed her hoof on the ground.

“When did Lyra become one?” Twinkleshine demanded as she gazed at the sheepish green unicorn.

“Don’t be mad at her for not telling. It’s the law,” Bon Bon warned as she stared at Twinkleshine sternly. “She became one after the agents stopped by. She was mainly furious because one stepped on her flowers. It took a lot to get her to drop the baseball bat. Lyra snuck along and by the time I realized, it was too late to send her back.”

“And you wouldn’t have either,” Lyra scoffed as she opened a book. “Because if you did, I’d have changed the locks on the doors.”

We all shuddered a bit at her tone as Bon Bon gulped nervously. Apparently even secret agents get worried. Or nervous or whatever you wanna call it.

“What do we do about the changelings impersonating Twi and the others?” Minuette asked worriedly as her eyes flicked outside.

“We wait. We come up with excuses to keep the other civilians away from them,” Lyra said simply as continued reading. Bon Bon opened the briefcase again and fished out a silver ball in her nuzzle before dropping it to stomp it with her hoof.

“What the heck was that?” Ruby asked as she peeked down the stairs. Bon Bon recoiled and stared in surprise at them.

“Fine come down here,” Bon Bon sighed and rolled her eyes. “You too Scootaloo and Liza.” The fillies rolled down the stairs and slammed into Twinkleshines legs as she gazed down at them.

“You can never tell anypony what you heard,” Lyra said sternly as she looked up finally. “Understand?”

“Yes mom,” Scootaloo rolled her eyes as Liza snickered. “The others are asleep by the way with the exception of Ruby. Her mirror counterpart was drooling on my mane.”

“I hope to god Lyra and Bon Bon don’t have kids right now,” Sweetie Drops muttered under her breath. “Then I’d be the one having a heart attack.”

“So we wait?” I asked worriedly as I glanced at the clock. Bon Bon nodded as she locked the cellar door and closed the windows before lighting a small candle.

“Yes.”

Chapter Thirty One

Sunset

With an exhausted groan, I shifted my backpack on my back as I walked up the stairs with Octavia. My mom and sisters had already went ahead to their classrooms as a equally exhausted familiar blue haired girl got off the bus with a fuchsia haired girl at her side.

“Sunset!” Trixie called out as Octavia and I paused. “Wait up!” Trixie and Fuchsia panted as they held each other up.

“Hey guys,” I grinned as I hugged Fuchsia. “How was Manhattan?”

“Terrifying. I’m never going to another Trixie family reunion,” Fuchsia grimaced and gave an exaggerated shudder before smirking. “So many people like Trixie, it was terrifying. Felt like I was in a recurring nightmare.”

“Shut up you,” Trixie scowled briefly as Fuchsia snickered. “We brought gifts.” Trixie rummaged through her bag before handing me a book.

“What’s this?” I asked curiously and flipped through it, staring at the art work in it.

“You like art. We stopped at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” Trixie explained as she handed Octavia a book with different wood instruments. “So we got you that and Octavia a book on old wooden instruments from ancient culture.”

“Thank you love,” Octavia bowed her head gratefully as she opened her book. “I know what I’ll be reading later.”

“We got the others gifts too,” Fuchsia chimed in as we started walking to the doors as I opened them and followed them in. We instantly all winced at the screaming coming from around the hall. “What the fuck was that?”

A terrified Cloudkicker, Blossomforth and Raindrops came running around the corner. Raindrops was almost afraid of nothing and had anger issues, so if she was afraid then it’s a good bet that I should be too.

“You all should run!” Raindrops shouted at us as she ducked into a classroom.

“Why?” Trixie demanded as she placed her hands on her hips.

“Lavender is coming,” Blossomforth whispered with a shiver. “And she’s mad. Beyond mad. She’s scary when furious.”

“Oh shit,” Fuchsia muttered as she hid behind me. “I’ve only ever seen her really, really mad like this once. I hoped I would never see it again.”

“Nonsense!” Trixie proclaimed proudly and strode around the corner. “Trixie will sooth her angry friend!”

“I really wouldn’t-” Cloudkicker tried to warn her as I glanced at her in shock and the red handprint on her cheek. I had a sneaking suspicion Lavender was responsible. I winced at the loud shouting come from around the corner as Trixie ran back to us with a deer in the headlights look.

“Trixie does not recommend going around the corner.”

Lavender stepped around the corner with the most furious look I’ve ever seen as Octavia and I gave each other nervous looks.

“Where’s my bitch of a cousin?” Lavender demanded as she stopped in front of us.

“Oh hey Lavender,” I said and rubbed the back of my head. “I take it you’re mad at me?”

“Not at you,” Lavender admitted angrily. “I’m mad at my bitch of a cousin. It’s my right to decide where I live. She told you to bring me back. She came by the other night and explained everything. We had a screaming match and I kicked her out.”

“Well love,” Octavia said as she peeked out from behind me. “Maybe we should calm down? We are in public, after all.” A quick glance around us confirmed our classmates trying to sneak out of the hallway.

“That bitch never wanted me to be happy,” Lavender fumed as she punched a locker. “Just you wait until I get my hands on her. Slapping her wasn’t enough. Cloudkicker!”

“I don’t think this is a good idea to fight in the hall,” I placed a nervous hand on her shoulder as I realized the others were hiding behind me. This is what I get for being the bravest among us. Rainbow snuck up behind her and I mouthed wait.

“I want her blonde ass out here now!” Lavender shouted angrily as her eyes narrowed and she shoved some blonde hair away from her eyes.

“Lavender love, you have blonde hair too.”

“Not helping Octavia!” Lavender ground out through her gritted teeth as Cloudkicker gulped and nervously stepped forward. “There you are! How dare you force Sunset to bring me back? I wanted to stay in Equestria. It’s a simple life and I want it. No cyber bullies to worry about, no cars nothing. Clean air and a easy life. It’s my motherfucking decision!”

“Wait what?” Fuchsia snapped as she peered over my shoulder. “What about us? Me? Trixie? Are we not good enough anymore?”

“The house in Equestria was big!” Lavender explained as she clenched a fist. “The three of us could have lived there together. I specifically requested one with three bedrooms for the three of us!”

“Oh,” Fuchsia said simply as she watched nervously. Lavender raised a fist as Rainbow grabbed her by the waist and lifted her in the air.

“Easy girl!” Rainbow grunted as Lavender flailed her arms and legs. “I’m not your enemy, quit flailing.”

“Put me down Rainbow!” Lavender shouted as Rainbow carried a struggling and furious Lavender away. Her yelling got quieter as silence filled the hallway.

That was the most scariest thing I personally think I have ever seen. And I’ve fought sirens, a changeling queen and a cyber bully. None of those even come close to an angry Lavender.

“That was scary,” Blossomforth whispered as she came out of a locker she had dove into. “I never thought Lavender could get that mad.”

“I did,” Cloudkicker muttered with a slackjawed expression. “Never got used to it.”

“The only time I saw it was when she screamed at her parents before she got legal emancipation and was able to rent her own apartment,” Fuchsia grimaced worriedly. “I’ll talk to her. Come on Trixie.”

Trixie stayed still with a shocked expression as Fuchsia rolled her eyes and dragged the magician behind her.

“Remind me never to get on Lavenders bad side,” Octavia commented quietly as I glanced at her.

“You said it Octavia.”

Author's Note

Ngl, writing an angry Lavender was really fun.

Chapter Fifty Two

Trixie

“What do I do?” Micro Chips asked worriedly as I rolled my eyes. Flash snickered as Watermelody and I sighed.

“Literally just walk up to her and ask her out,” Captain Planet answered as he, Bulk Biceps, Sandalwood, Lily, Daisy, Octavia and Derpy stood around the tether ball as I placed my hands on my hips.

“Look,” Daisy hugged him and the two blushed faintly. “You got this. Rose is getting her as we speak. I believe in you. So does Lily.”

I turned around as Roseluck came running up with some roses in her hand.

“She’s coming!” Roseluck announced as she shoved the flowers into Micros hands. “Good luck!” We ran to the nearby bushes and I jumped into the one with Octavia, Watermelody and Derpy. Roseluck, Lily and Daisy hid behind a nearby tree as the guys hid in an adjacent bush.

“Hey Micro,” Starlight winked as we cautiously peeked out a bit. Hopefully she doesn’t see us and then I can retain my greatest and powerful student carer abouter forever.

“Hey,” Micro inhaled and handed her the roses. “These are uh for you!”

“Oh thank you,” Starlight examined them and grinned. “Roseluck give you these?” Flash made a throat cutting gesture and Micro nodded.

“Yeah,” Micro admitted and Flash facepalmed. “I mean no!”

“No?”

“I picked them,” Micro said nervously and I bit my lip. It was so obvious he was lying. Octavia gave Flash a look as he gave a thumbs up.

“Oh okay,” Starlight turned faintly red and I groaned quietly. There is no way this girl is that dense and believed him. Those flowers were expertly picked, an amateur like him wouldn’t be able to do that. “What exactly are we doing here? I’m supposed to be painting with Aqua Blossom.”

I gritted my teeth slightly and tensed. I hated Aqua for stealing Lavs boyfriend the way she did. Especially for helping Brawly cheat on Lav. Derpy and Octavia each grabbed my shoulders as Watermelody placed a hand on my chest.

“Easy girl,” Watermelody whispered. “I know you don’t like her but don’t ruin this moment.”

“Fine,” I grumbled and they let me go as we turned to keep watching from our hiding spot.

“I think we’re being watched,” Starlight announced as she looked around and I hastily ducked. “I see your beret Watermelody and your hair Trixie. Come out!”

We all sheepishly stood up and walked out of the bush. I yanked a tree branch out of my hair and tossed it aside. Flash and the other guys looked at each other and sighed, following us.

“Spying on us for blackmail? That’s low,” Starlight folded her arms and glared.

“That actually isn’t the case,” Micro admitted sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. “They’re helping me uh ask you out? They all individually gave me advice and yeah-” he froze as Starlight kissed his cheek.

“Yes,” she said simply with a grin. “About freaking time. I’ve been dropping hints for months now.”

“Oh.”

“Thanks for helping him,” Starlight winked at us as Micro turned red. “Good to know he has such good friends.”

“We’re actually no-” I began and Watermelody whacked me upside the head. “You’re welcome.”

“Now me and Micro are gonna go hang out on our last night in a kayak,” Starlight smirked as she dragged a blushing Micro away.

“Well that happened,” Captain Planet rubbed the back of his head. “I’m gonna go sleep. Goodnight.”

“I didn’t actually expect him to get her,” Lily commented as Roseluck and Daisy gasped, the two glaring at the middle sister.

“Lily!”

I yawned as I walked to my cabin as I heard footsteps running behind me as I noticed Watermelody slowing to a walk next to me.

“So did you get any partners?” Watermelody asked curiously and I internally cursed. I had been busy with my friends and the magical shit to remember our challenge.

“No Trixie was busy. You?”

Watermelody’s smug grin faded as she shook her head.

“Nope. I got busy and apparently people don’t like me that much here.”

I gave a laugh as we entered my tent and sat down.

“Trixie can relate to that. She isn’t that well liked around these parts.”

“This was a stupid competition, wasn’t it?” Watermelody inquired with a faint frown as she leaned against my pillow.

“Well we wouldn’t have had one if you hadn’t been sarcastic when you said Trixie was attractive!” I snapped and glared at her.

“Wait you thought I was being sarcastic?” Watermelody asked in disbelief. “I was being serious.”

“Oh.”

I didn’t really see that coming. I had legitimately thought she was being sarcastic as most people are. Well, people outside my friend group that is.

“You really should have more confidence,” Watermelody grinned as she sat back up. “I’ve never actually been with another girl. Only guys.”

“Nor has Trixie. Trixie has been with neither. She focuses on her friends and shows too much for dating.”

“I can respect that,” Watermelody admitted and inched closer. “I can think of one I could be interested in trying a relationship. A way we can both win this competition.”

“Uh what?” I asked in confusion as Watermelody kissed my cheek. I turned a bright shade of red and started to sputter incoherent words. Watermelody smirked as she leaned away with a blush.

“I’m not entirely sure if you were serious about getting a girl or boyfriend, but whenever you decide if you’re interested to try, you know where to find me. I’m not sure what it all entails myself but,” Watermelody stood up. “I’d be willing to try.”

She walked to the exit as she added some unnecessary sway to her hips and I gulped, feeling my cheeks go red again. I watched her disappear and go outside as I sighed. I’m not the greatest person at emotions, believe it or not.

I bit my lip and shoved my self up, releasing my breath as I jogged to the exit.

“H-hey wait!