Reign of Fire

Another morning comes and the sun rises over Equestria. Sunny lies in her bed and does not want to get up at all. She turns over to the other side and continues to sleep. At this time, a playful little golden ray is already in a hurry to wake her up. Quietly and carefully it crawls across her pillow. And then, it reaches her nose, and Sunny feels its warmth. And finally the ray reached the young pony’s eyes.

At that moment, Sunny realized that she would no longer fall asleep. “Well, stupid sun, you win, I’m getting up.”

Pony carefully sat down on the bed and rubbed her sleepy eyes. With slow and clumsy steps, she walked to the window, opened the curtains and the whole room was illuminated with the warm, joyful sunlight of the coming day.

However, the young pony was not as joyful as that sunlight. Sunny looked around her new room. The spacious, almost royal chambers were filled with beautiful antique furniture - a luxurious huge bed, patterned cabinets, wardrobes and shelves, a huge oak table - all these were small gifts from Opaline for invaluable help.

It has been two months since Opaline regained her strength, gained power and become rightful leader of Equestria and Sunny became her right hoof. But the young alicorn still couldn’t get used to this place. Even though she had moved all the necessary things here, primarily her father’s, the room still seemed alien and uncomfortable to her. However, to her happiness, Sunny persuaded Opaline to finally accept technology. Thus, electricity and communications appeared in the castle, and Opaline became addicted to stupid TV shows.

Sunny's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, after which one of the maids looked into the room.

"Good morning, Miss Starscout, are you awake yet? Her Majesty asked to check on you and invite you to breakfast in the great hall," - the maid said.

"Yes, I remember," Sunny answered. "Tell her that I’ll be there soon, Vine."

After bowing, the maid left, and Sunny got ready to go to the bathroom.

But one thing in this castle was amazing. And what's so good about this castle? There are several bathrooms on each floor - choose anyone you like. And considering the number of inhabitants of the castle, it is almost impossible to cross paths with any of them.

Entering the bathroom, Sunny immediately turned on the water to fill the bath. The alicorn went to the mirror and, spreading her wings, began to examine herself.

"Look at you. Look what you've become. You have changed in many ways. Your thoughts, your actions. Even your horn and your wings began to match your new personality - just as daring and aggressive. And your rainbow lock is almost gone. Maybe you shouldn’t get so involved in dark magic? No! Stop whining, get yourself together. You did what you had to do. It's all for the benefit of all ponies. And, besides, there is no turning back for you...Especially after some of Opaline’s orders...But you brought peace, tranquility and unity to Equestria, the rest is not important.”

Sunny approached the mirror and examined her face closely.
"Well, at least there’s nothing new here," Sunny said nervously and exhaled.

Finally, the bathtub was filled and Sunny could relax, lying in the warm water, pushing away bad thoughts.

After some time, having completed all the bathroom “rituals”, Sunny was about to return to her room. As she left the bathroom and opened the door, the alicorn felt that she had knocked somepony. She looked outside the door in fear, but when she saw her “victim” she quickly cooled down.

"Good morning, Sunny!" Misty said happilly, rubbing her forehead.

"Yeah..." Sunny hummed indifferently. "What are you doing here? Isn't there a bathroom on your floor?"

"I wasn’t going to the bath," - Misty began to explain. "I already took a bath. I was coming to you. I thought I'd come pick you up and we'd go to breakfast together."

"Well, as you can see, I’m not ready yet. I still need to get dressed, because this castle has medieval rules and dresscode," Sunny answered dryly.

"But I like all these magnificent outfits," Misty continued joyfully. "I can help you choose something."

"Eh..." Sunny continued with a dissatisfied sigh. "Okay, let’s go."

Sunny had no warm feelings for Misty. She didn't like her excessive cheerfulness in any situation. Sunny also did not like the increased attention from the unicorn. Plus, by order of Her Majesty Empress Opaline, Sunny was supposed to train Misty in the use of magic. And either Misty was a bad student, or Sunny was a bad teacher, but progress almost stood still.

But Misty doted on Sunny, because she was, in fact, her first living friend with whom she could talk. Misty loved Sunny's lessons, even though she wasn't getting the wanted results - she just loved spending time with Sunny. Also, the unicorn really liked the new stuff that came to the castle with Sunny - like TV or smartphones. She loved to share all sorts of silly things with Sunny, even though the latter was not interested in it at all.

"How about this?" Misty asked, finally sticking her head out of the closet and holding the dress.

"Well...I’m not sure," Sunny muttered. "Strange color, and this skirt-"

"Try it on anyway," Misty insisted.

Sunny reluctantly took the suit and began to dress awkwardly. And so, with the help of Misty, the suit finally fit properly.

"Well, it seems okay," Sunny said, looking in the mirror. "We can go now. Opaline is waiting for us."

"Hooray! Let’s go quickly, I’m so hungry!" Misty exclaimed.

This two-story walk seemed like an eternity for Sunny - Misty wouldn’t shut up and was telling some nonsense. The alicorn just nodded and muttered something under her breath. Sunny was ready to listen more lectures about magic and power from Opaline, but not these crazy stories from Misty, which she took from the Ponynet.

As they approached the hall, Sunny’s thoughts were overwhelmed by the smell from the kitchen, and it did not bode well. Again this “healthy food” and all that. Sunny didn't mind the oatmeal. But who in their right mind would voluntarily eat it every day?

And then they finally reached the dining room. It was a large room with a long table in the center and various statues in the corners. It was even quite bright and cozy here by the standards of this castle.

Opaline was already sitting at the head of the table in her majestic chair and hummed something while examining her hoof. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw two “friends” entering the hall through the large doors.

"Ah, here come my girls!" Opaline said with a smile. "Good morning! Sunny, how did you sleep today?"

"As usual," Sunny said dissatisfied, sitting down at the table.

"Poor thing," Opaline answered with a sad face. "What bothering you, dear? Maybe we can find another room?"

"Or maybe you need more decorations?" Misty interjected, sitting down opposite Sunny.

"I’m still struggling with my thoughts," Sunny answered without raising her head. "I think that I did everything wrong, that everything could have been done differently..."

"We’ve been through this so many times, my dear," Opaline said softly. "You did everything right. You have gained strength and knowledge, Equestria has united and found a worthy ruler. And Misty, by the way, has found a friend."

Sunny raised her eyes to look at the unicorn, then dropped them again.

At this time, servants entered the hall carrying trays of food. Oatmeal with berries, pumpkin pie, shadowberries and coffee. Everything is as usual.

"I believe that everything has its own time," Opaline continued, sitting down more comfortably. "We’ll figure out how to get you out of this despondency."

"Let’s just eat in silence," Sunny answered sharply.

"Besides, it’s indecent to talk while eating," Misty interjected.

"Good girl," Opaline smiled. "And be careful with your magic, Dear."

Sunny had been picking at the cooled porridge with a spoon for several minutes - she was simply tired of this oatmeal. And then there’s this bad mood. But still, after some time, the alicorn was able to defeat this nasty porridge and, abandoning the pie, immediately switched to coffee.

"Well, I suggest we don’t sit in these halls all morning, but take a little walk," Opaline interrupted the silence. "How about a garden? This is Sunny's wonderful achievement - without her it would still be dead."

"I don’t mind," Sunny answered more cheerfully.

"Great. Misty, go dress in something more decent for the walk," Opaline continued. "And you, Sunny, come with me."

And so the trio got up from the table and went to different rooms - Misty to hers, and Sunny and Opaline to the royal chambers.

Opaline's room felt like the largest room in the castle. However, according to Sunny, there are more beautiful rooms in this castle. And here are the same cold colors, the same antique furniture and a huge bed with a canopy. And the main detail in this room - giant TV on the wall opposite bed, which was absolutely out of the style. There was a dressing table in the corner, and a little further away there was a mannequin dressed in a formal suit and the Royal crown.

“I don’t remember the last time I saw her in this,” - Sunny thought.

Opaline had been rummaging through her closets and chests of clothes for a long time. Sunny was already getting bored when suddenly Opaline emerged from this pile of clothes, picking up something with magic.

"I haven’t worn this for a long time," Opaline said. "Do you remember it, Sunny?"

Sunny glanced at the suit. White shirt with wide sleeves and a blue skirt.

"Of course I remember," answered Sunny. "How can you forget something like that? That day you showed me this castle and offered me training. And that day I thought that you were an ordinary unicorn".

"Yes, so many pleasant memories," Opaline answered, laughing a little. "Okay, help me put this on and we can go."

After a while, the alicorns finally left the room next to which Misty was waiting for them. She was wearing a cape with a chic collar fastened with crystal.

"Great choice, Misty," Opaline praised the unicorn’s outfit.

"Of course it’s great!" Misty said joyfully. "After all, this is your gift to me!"

Opaline smiled and ruffled Misty's curly mane.

"Well, my dears, can we go?"

Time and care can cure almost anything. And the garden on the castle grounds is the clearest proof of this. Until recently there were only stones and dead dry trees. But with Sunny's arrival everything changed. She and other gardeners breathed life into this forgotten place. Now there are endless trees and bushes, gorgeous lush flower beds, several gazebos and even a large labyrinth. It turns out to be an interesting picture of contrasts - a dark castle built purely on dark magic and a bright garden blossoming from the seeds of love.

But that didn't make Sunny any better. She saved and revived the garden, but still couldn’t pull herself out of the abyss of despair. The trio leisurely strolled through the garden, enjoying the warm autumn day. Misty was not interested in talking about magic, and she moved away a little, looking at the flowers with admiration and inhaling their wonderful aromas. Meanwhile, the alicorns were not having a very good conversation - it was more of a monologue from Opaline, while Sunny was again lost in thought.

“My biggest dream was to unite everypony. So it happened, but not quite as I expected. We are all now united under the iron hoof of Empress Opaline. Studying dark magic, seeking and twisting artifacts...After all, not everypony accepted this new life. Including some of my friends. They hate me...Is this what I really wanted? I don’t know anymore. At least I can work in this garden as long as grow those shadowberries.”

"...ing we can unleash her full potential," Opaline conducted her monologue. "Are you even listening to me, Sunny?"

"Yes, Opaline," answered Sunny, getting out of her thoughts just in time.

"Understand me, Sunny," Opaline continued. "I’m doing all this for her own good. I want her to be able to stand up for herself. As for now she is not ready for this world. By the way, how are your training going?"

"You know that I’m trying my best, Your Majesty," Sunny began to make excuses. "I come up with new approaches, new techniques, but there are almost no results. She is very weak. And she is not very interested in being powerful magician-"

"So, are you telling me these two months were a waste of time?" the Empress asked displeasedly. "Well, okay-"

"No-no!" Sunny exclaimed nervously. "There is progress, but it is very insignificant..."

"Okay, we’ll talk about this later," Opaline snapped dryly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sunny answered obediently and nodded her head.

"Actually, I need to talk with you about something really important," Opaline continued.

Hearing these words in such a tone, Sunny became quite nervous.

"I’m listening to you," she squeezed out.

"These two months I have been watching you and your success in studying magic and came to the conclusion that we need to create a state organization to study magic and improve life with the help of it," Opaline shared her thoughts. "I see this as an excellent political move. Improving the quality of life will help dispel the doubts in the minds of some ponies about my reign."

"This is a very unexpected decision from you," Sunny said uncertainly.

"Do you think I’m so terrible that I can’t think about my subjects?" Opaline asked seriously.

"No, what are you talking about!" Sunny quickly retreated. "It’s just a very serious question. Firstly, where to get staff? Secondly, would it be safe to trust such research to mere ponies? Thirdly-"

"And these are the questions you will deal with, my dear," Opaline answered with a grin. "For your help and your merits, I appoint you as the head of this organization."

"This is...a great honor for me," Sunny bowed.

"Do you really need directions?" Opaline asked in surprise. "I remember that glamorous bird from the false royal family. She and her mother have proven their loyalty to us. Contact her and place an order for an advertisement about recruiting scientists for the royal project. She'll get this thing going quickly."

"Her name is Pipp, Your Majesty," Sunny clarified.

"Yes, yes, it doesn’t matter," Opaline answered, rolling her eyes. "The main thing is that she can be useful for us."

"As you wish," - Sunny bowed again.

In such a tense situation, the sudden vibration of the phone startled Sunny a little. Alicorn took out her phone - “Good morning. Is today’s meeting still valid?” And then Sunny remembered that she had agreed to meet with Izzy and discuss some things. "Hello. Yes, but let's meet later in the evening, I have something to do. Okay, Iz?” – Sunny wrote a reply and put away the phone.

"And I have one more thing for you," Opaline said more softly. "I know that you don’t really like Misty’s company. I know she annoys you and I can't make you love her. But I ask you - spend with her some more time, it will make her happy. You're the first pony she's talked to in years besides me. She considers you her friend and doesn't even notice your rudeness. But I notice your rudeness towards her and it makes me angry. And you don't want to make me angry, do you?" at these words a fire lit up in Opaline’s eyes.

"No..." Sunny answered barely audibly.

"So, take her with you to the town, go shopping or do something else there," Opaline continued. "Just don’t let her go too far from you."

"I’ll try to do everything in the best way possible," Sunny said confidently.

"Good, I believe that you will do everything wisely," Opaline nodded approvingly.

"Hey, Misty..." Sunny began.

"Yes?" as always, the unicorn answered happilly.

"Don't you want to go to town with me?" Sunny asked, not looking at the unicorn.

Misty's eyes opened wide and her face broke into a smile.

"Town? With you?" Misty asked almost breathlessly.

Sunny looked up at her in anticipation, but instead of an answer there was a deafening joyful squeal, during which Misty began to jump in place. Sunny turned to Opaline, who smiled and nodded silently.

In two months Maritime has remained almost unchanged. All the same faces, all the same shops and establishments. Life was still in full swing. Only a lonely abandoned lighthouse stood empty in the distance. And the only difference inside the city that is immediately visible - countless posters and banners in honor of the new ruler. Everything was calm, because most of the earth ponies of Maritime were glad that there was no magic in their city again and no one would accidentally destroy anything.

Sunny and Misty could easily move around the city without fear of sidelong glances - the alicorn had respect among the residents of this city. There was no need to worry about safety either - the town was full of the Royal Guard. And anyway, who in their right mind would attack an alicorn?

"What are we going to do?" Misty asked.

"Let me think..." Sunny lowered her head thoughtfully.

Where can you go with Misty to keep her engaged, but at the same time she will remain silent for as long as possible? Maybe take her to the movie?

"Hey, Misty," said Sunny. "Do you want to watch something?"

"That would be great!" answered unicorn.

"What do you want to watch?" Sunny asked.

"I don’t even know," Misty said. "Maybe something romantic-"

"Romantic? You?" Sunny was surprised.

"When you sit alone all the time at that age, you really want some love, closeness and-" Misty closed her eyes.

"Okay, okay, calm down," Sunny interrupted her. "Let's see. That’s what we need - Canterlot doesn’t believe in tears."

"I read a few reviews," Misty said. "It must be great."

"Great, then it’s decided," Sunny summed up happily.

The film hit right in the spot, smoothing out the lack of love and tenderness in Misty's soul, but there were also unpleasant consequences - the poor ponies' legs went numb after two and a half hours of sitting motionless.

"I’m hungry," Misty said. "Let’s go somewhere to eat? Maybe we'll get some fast food-"

"I don’t mind eating either," Sunny answered. "But I don’t really want to load myself with this fat."

Sunny thought for a bit, looking around.

"So, there’s a restaurant nearby, let’s go," the alicorn finally said.

The couple approached a small building, as if sandwiched between large neighboring buildings.

"Warm Comfort," Misty drawled. "Sounds cozy. I hope it's also cozy inside."

"Let’s go," - Sunny said dryly.

The ponies went inside where they were met by the receptionist.

"Good afternoon and welcome to Warm Comfort," he began, after which he quickly realized who was in front of him. "Miss Starscout and Miss Arcana! What a surprise! This is a huge honor for our restaurant! Please come here!"

"Where are we going?" Misty was surprised. "The hall is over there."

"Quiet, don’t embarrass me," Sunny grumbled.

Of course, such significant guests could not be seated in an ordinary hall among other ponies. For the elite, and especially for members of the Royal Family, there is always a place in the VIP lounge.

VIP was not very large, with only 5 tables, but very elegantly decorated. Beautiful tables, chic leather chairs and sofas, paintings on the walls, warm cozy light, live music. There weren't very many ponies here - only a few officers were sitting at one table. Sunny took a closer look at them - not a single familiar face.

"Okay, let’s go to that table in the corner," Sunny turned to Misty. "Sit here, I’ll sit opposite you by the wall."

Even now, Sunny was thinking about safety. The Empress tasked her with keeping an eye on the unicorn, and this task could not be failed. The alicorn really didn't like this group of drunken soldiers, so she sat down so that she could see them all the time.

"Good day, ladies, I’m your waiter for today," pony in branded clothes approached the table. "Here’s your menu. When you are ready to order, please call me."

"Wow" - Misty admired. "There are so many strange names here. I don't even know what are they."

"No wonder," muttered Sunny. "Only local dishes are prepared in our castle. And here there are a lot of recipes from other countries."

"What is it?" Misty asked, pointing to one of the dishes. "It looks like a shoe."

"It’s like a fish pie," answered Sunny.

"And this-"

"Listen," Sunny interrupted her nervously. "Are you going to ask me about everything? Order what you know."

Misty didn't expect such an overtly rude answer and closed behind the menu, trying to hold back her tears.

After some time, the ponies placed their orders - Sunny ordered her favorite dishes from childhood, and Misty decided to take a couple of random dishes. The wait was extremely difficult due to the tense between these two. It seemed like orders were taking forever. Sunny still watched the soldiers, and Misty looked sadly at the table.

And so, the food was finally brought, and ponies could forget about this awkward situation for a while. Misty cheered up a little and picked at the ordered food with interest, while Sunny looked at her with dissatisfaction, but this time she did not say anything and did not interrupt the unicorn from “studying” foreign cuisine.

"Why don’t we make a salad like this at home?" Misty asked hesitantly, interrupting the silence. "We grow beets. And, apparently, there is nothing in this salad that we cannot grow or obtain."

Sunny just shrugged her shoulders silently.

"Sunny," Misty put down her fork. "I know that you don’t consider me your friend. But during these two months I blossomed next to you...Opaline raised me and cared for me my whole life, but you brought a fresh breath into my life. I love her, but all these years we lived according to ancient strict rules. And you brought us, mostly me, all this technology and entertainment. Through you I was able to get to know this world better. And most importantly you're the first person beside Opaline I've really been able to talk to in these years. I adsolutely love your lessons, Sunny. Yes, I know I'm not the best student. But I’m trying for you. For Opaline. I want to do my best, but I know that I’ll never become powerful unicorn. It’s even hard for me to lift up a fork with my magic! I'm so sorry for failing you all the time-"

Misty could no longer hold back her tears and closed her eyes.

"And I am SO grateful to you that you agreed to take me with you. Even with your dislike for me, you still agreed. Tha-"

Misty flinched from the unexpected touch. She opened her eyes and saw Sunny using magic to wipe away unicorn’s tears with a napkin. This made Misty's heart beat like crazy.

"And you, please, understand me, Misty," Sunny said, wiping away the unicorn’s tears. "I don’t hate you. I just don't like your constant optimism. You can consider this...envy, because my life has not changed for the better like yours. Yes, I gained unimaginable strength and helped Opaline gain power. Thanks to her now I have everything, all the benefits, access to everything I want. But for the sake of power, I've done terrible things that you can't even imagine. Every night I have nightmares. The same dreams hunt me over and over again in my sleep. This dark magic is eating me from within. Opaline thought I was ready. But I'm not. I still don't have enough strength to completely subjugate this power...Plus, I'm losing my friends. Especially my best friend. She's too soft and kind for all of this. Forgive me for my rudeness, Misty. Maybe some more time will pass and I will be able to enjoy life again as before."

Sunny saw a waiter carrying a drink. Suddenly, as he reaches the table, he trips and the jug of liquid flies straight towards Misty. However, Sunny once again proved her magical greatness. Without making a single movement, she used magic to hold both the jug and the waiter.

"Oh, alicorn almighty," the waiter began to apologize. "Forgive me, this won’t happen again!"

"It’s okay," Sunny said, putting the jug on the table. "Bring us the check, please."

"It was great!" Misty exclaimed.

"I’m sure we can make you just as strong," Sunny answered smiling. "I’ll find a way to strengthen your abilities, I promise."

"What is-" Misty wanted to ask about the drink, but got scared and fell silent.

"This?" – Sunny finished the question for her and poured the drink into the glass. "This is a funny thing. Consider it a bread infusion. Bread lemonade."

"It sounds so...strange," Misty answered and took a sip. "And it tastes unusual."

"True recipe contains alcohol, so it would be even more unusual. But I definitely won’t let you drink alcoholic beverages without Opaline’s permission," Sunny said and booped Misty’s nose, as a result of which the unicorn finally cheered up.

"That film ended with an interesting phrase," said Misty.

"What so interesting about it?" surprisingly asked Sunny.

"I've been waiting for you for so long," repeated the phrase Misty. "It's just like me sitting in front of you, looking at you with admiration and thinking about my whole life without you."

Sunny leaned forward with a smile and lay her head on the front hooves.

"Do you love me as much as she loved him in that movie?" alicorn asked with half-closed-eyes look.

"Not in a romantic way, Sunny!" Misty replied indignantly. "What are you talking about???"

"I'm just kidding, Misty," laughed Sunny. "Just defusing the situation."

After sitting around for a while and paying the bill, the ponies decided it was time to move on.

Having eaten to their fill, the newly made friends decided to stretch their hooves and go to all kinds of shops, without denying themselves anything. Thus, the ponies got hold of new clothes, various trinkets and accessories, as well as a couple of plush toys.

While watching another payment message on her phone, Sunny noticed the time.

“Ah, hay, meeting with Izzy!”

"Misty, forgive me, but I need to go urgently," Sunny began.

"What?! And what about me?!" Misty asked excitedly. "What about all these things?! I won’t be able to carry them alone."

"I’ll come up with something..." Sunny said.

"Please don’t leave me-" Misty said almost crying.

"...okay, okay, I have an idea, let’s go," Sunny said, gently stroking Misty’s cheek.

Ponies walked further down the street and reached the local Royal Guard office.

"Wait for me here," Sunny said, looking Misty in the eyes. "Nothing will happen to you here, I promise."

"Okay," Misty answered calmly.

Sunny went inside the building. Compared to the old sheriff's station, this building has undergone significant changes - the building has become much larger, the staff has expanded, as have the prison cells, by the way. The only thing that hasn't changed is the head of this place - Hitch Trailblazer. Thanks to his stubborn character and obsession with rules and order, he quickly received the favor of the authorities and got an officer's rank.

"Call your commander," Sunny told the guard in a commanding tone.

"Who is asking him and why should I do this?" he answered.

But as soon as he raised his eyes, they immediately widened, and, swallowing nervously, the guard replied “It will be done.”

A couple of minutes later an officer in a new black uniform entered the hall.

"Sunny!" Hitch exclaimed and reached out to hug his old friend. "Long time no see!"

"Sorry, Hitch," Sunny interrupted him and pushed him away with her wing. "There is no time for pleasantries. I have an urgent matter that I can only entrust to you."

"What kind of terrible thing could happen?" Hitch was surprised, because this is the first request from Sunny in all this months.

"I need you to escort somepony home," Sunny said.

"Escort somepony home?" Hitch asked sarcastically. "Are you serious right now?"

"Absolutely," Sunny replied.

"What kind of pony is this???" Hitch continued to be surprised.

"Look for yourself," said Sunny, opening the blinds. "Here she is."

Seeing Misty, Hitch nervously adjusted the collar of his shirt.

"She?" Hitch asked breathlessly.

"Yeup," - Sunny answered calmly.

"Her Majesty's daughter?"

"Adopted daughter."

"This could be interesting," Hitch concluded. "Let’s go."

Sunny and Hitch left the station and headed towards Misty.

"Here, as I promised," Sunny turned to her. "My idea. Misty Arcana meet Hitch Trailblazer. Hitch this is Misty."

"Nice to meet Royal daughter in person," Hitch said smiling, performing a military salute.

Misty just smiled embarrassedly, examining the pony in a strict uniform.

Sunny approached Misty and, looking into her eyes, said “This is my good friend. Don’t be afraid, you can trust him like you trust me.” After which she approached Hitch and said completely different words in a completely different tone “You are responsible for her with your head. Otherwise Opaline will rip our heads off.”

"Forgive me again, but it’s time for me to run," Sunny said quickly, hugging her friends, and then quickly ran away.

"Well, let me help you and accompany you to the castle, Miss Arcana," said Hitch.

"That’s very nice of you," Misty replied shyly.

After that Hitch took heavy bags from Misty, and they slowly walked towards the castle.

After a warm autumn day came a cool autumn evening. It was getting dark earlier and there was less and less time for walking. And now the sun has almost set, creating a beautiful crimson sunset, illuminating two ponies sitting on a bench on a hill outside the town.

"I’m glad you came," - one of them said.

"How could I not?" Sunny was indignant. "You’re my friend, Izzy. My best friend..."

"So much has happened in these two months," Izzy sighed. "Magic has disappeared again, new ruler has appeared, and you now live in a castle, and we don’t see each other frequently, because you are part of the “royal family” now..."

"But that doesn’t mean anything," Sunny objected. "I’m still the same Sunny, your friend! The Empress overloads me with work, it’s not my fault-"

"What about other friends?" Izzy continued. "What about Zipp? She will never accept this new system. Is she a criminal now? Should I hate her now? Or should I report her?"

"As long as she doesn't do anything illegal-"

"That's it! And two month ago you couldn’t even think about this..." Izzy exclaimed upset.

"How is...Alphabittle?" – Sunny decided to change the topic.

"Tough as always," Izzy answered. "Still runs his tea shop, looks after me...all of us…"

"Izzy, would you like to join my scientific team?" Sunny remembered Opaline’s order. "Your skills would be very useful in research aimed at improving life-"

"I would like to get our old lives back," Izzy squeezed out, barely holding back tears. "Where we are all together next to each other, without dark magic, without the Empress...only friendship, joy and calmness..."

Sunny noticed tears streaming down Izzy's face. The alicorn hugged the unicorn and placed Izzy’s head on her legs.

"Forgive me, Izzy," Sunny said through tears, softly stroking her friend’s mane. "I’m sorry for this pain and for everything I did...but it was the only way out...I had to unite us and take control of this damn magic..."

Unable to bear the emotions, Sunny burst into tears, pressing herself to Izzy's head.

"I don’t blame you. I’m just scared...I’m afraid of being left without my best friend," Izzy replied.

"I promise you, Izzy," - Sunny answered, continuing to squeeze out words through tears. "I will never leave you, I swear..-"

The alicorn spread her wings and covered friend with them.

Another day was coming to an end. The sun disappeared behind the horizon and darkness reigned on the hill. For several more hours, only a small red glow from the wings and horn was the only source of light in this cold autumn night for the two ponies sitting on the bench.