Age of The Alicorns Adventures

by HarryBuilder

Rating: everyone
Tags: Starlight Glimmer, Romance, Sunset Shimmer, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Comedy
Length: 35899

The Elements and the Swords adventures in Equestria have only just begun.

Twilight Sparkle, Midnight Shadow and their Friends have many new Adventures ahead of them. Meeting new friends, facing new foes and solving new Friendship Problems.

Along the way, they discover secrets of Equestria, Ponykind and even themselves that will put everything they know, even their friendship into question. Friendship is never easy but there's no doubt it's worth fighting for.

But will it be worth fighting whatever wait for them...deep inside the Darkness?

(This Chapters are based on the Events of Season 6-7 and will maybe succeeded by the official Book 2 which come up later on)

Published 2024-08-26 21:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-10-20 15:17:07 UTC

Clash of the Time

In Canterlot, in the Royal arena Midnight and an amber pegasus stood opposite to each other while the crowd watched and Twilight and Spike watched from their podium. As an exhibition opening for new arena, Midnight was requested to duel one of the Royal Guard’s top soldiers.

“Citizens of Canterlot, the duel between Sir Midnight Shadow and Flash Sentry is about to begin,” Twilight announced as she looked to the two stallions, “You both know the rules, there is no outside help or weapons allowed and the duel ends when either one surrenders,” She explained to them.

“Eh, this is child's play. I practiced without weapons with my eyes closed.” Midnight said as he did a few stretches. “You think you can handle a Knight, Sentry?”

“Are you kidding, I’ve been wanting to fight the leader of the Swords of Justice.” Flash said as he did a few stretches with his wings. “I heard tales about you and the Swords of Justice, but to actually face you face to face is a real honor.”

“Well, nice to know your spirits are high, and it’s me who’s honored to face you,” Midnight told the guard before taking a ready stance, “Just don’t expect me to go easy on you,” He warned.

“Fine be me, bring it on!” Flash said with a smirk as he got into stance himself.

“Alright… Begin!” Twilight announced.

Flash and Midnight then charged at each other as Midnight fired a dark laser at Flash but he dodged, rolled out of the way, zoomed towards Midnight and headbutted him. Midnight cringed back a bit as he shook his head.

“Nice hit.” Midnight said with a smirk. “But that would be your last one.”

“I’m just getting started.” Flash said as he flew straight towards Midnight, who flew up to avoid him as he fired a magic blast on Flash’s back, blasting him to the ground with a grunt.

“Did you forget that I have a horn and wings? I can both fly and use magic.” Midnight said with a smirk.

“Doesn’t matter how much you have as long as you don’t hit me.” Flash commented before he flew up and the two got into a wrestling match in the air as they pushed at one another while trying to deliver punches or kicks in the air.

As they dueled Twilight and Spike watched the fight with interest but Twilight looked away for a moment to look at the crowd before she noticed one unicorn in particular, with a light purple coat, dark purple and teal-green mane and dark blue eyes.

Twilight blinked as she scanned the area again but the pony was nowhere in sight. “What’s wrong, Twilight?” Spike asked her in confusion.

“Uh, nothing, Spike.” Twilight said in concern. “I’ll tell you and Midnight later.”

Back in the duel, Midnight had Flash pinned down while the pegasus struggled to escape, “What’s the matter Sentry? Can’t move?” Midnight asked with a smirk.

“You know, I knew you were the strongest but…” Flash grunted as he struggled to get up. “Okay, I give up. Even I can’t beat Alicorn's strength.” He conceded.

“Sir Midnight Shadow is the victor!” Twilight announced as the crowd cheered while Midnight got off Flash and offered his hoof.

“You are pretty good, Sentry.” Midnight said with a smile as he helped Flash up. “Lasted longer than most others. With enough training and practice, you might outrank me someday.”

“It’s an honor to hear that from you, Midnight.” Flash said with a smile. “I have been practicing and training since I became a Royal Guard. I thought I would at least stand a chance between a Knight.”

“The difference between Royal Guards and Knights is that guards are only trained for defense. But us knights, we go into the offense out on the frontlines and face the enemy head-on.” Midnight said with a smile. “Got more battle experience from. But with how you fight, you have potential, Kid.”

“T-Thanks.” Flash said, trying to keep his fancolt instincts from coming out.

“You know, kid, how about you come with me, get some training in from the pros and maybe someday you’ll become a new Knight of Equestria,” Midnight offered Flash.

“W-Wait, really?” Flash asked in surprise. “I-I don’t know. Seems kinda big but I would have to step down from the Royal Guard.”

“Oh, you’re not stepping down from the Royal Guard, just some more training, in both offense and defense. You would be one of the best of the best.” Midnight said to him as he offered his hoof. “So, what do you say?” He asked with a smile.

Flash looked at his hoof for a moment before he smiled and shook Midnight’s hoof. “I’d be honored.” He said with a smile, which Midnight returned.

A bit later, Midnight, Flash, Spike, and Twilight were walking down the streets, “Say what? Starlight Glimmer?” Spike asked in shock.

“Who’s Starlight Glimmer?” Flash asked in confusion.

“I only heard from what Twilight told me and the boys that Starlight was a crazy Unicorn who stripped an entire village of their Cutie Mark, including Twilight and the girls, except for hers to make everypony equal.” Midnight said before giving a concerned look. “Are you sure that you saw her?”

“I’m sure.” Twilight said with a concerned look. “But when I looked again, she was gone! I'm just worried what she might be up to." She added.

"And now she's coming back to get revenge," Spike said darkly before they noticed Twilight was stiff in terror and her knees were trembling before Midnight bonked Spike on the head. “Ow!” He yelped as he rubbed his head.

“Spike, what do we talk about filling Twilight with terrifying ideas,” Midnight muttered with a glare, which made Spike flinch with a nervous smile.

"Uh, or she was just really interested in the fight?" Spike added, trying to do damage control.

Midnight then placed a wing over Twilight. “Don’t worry, Twilight. If this Starlight character is close by, she’ll be in for quite a punishment for trying to take your’s and the girl’s cutie marks.”

“Thanks Midnight,” Twilight smiled as they continued forward.

They soon returned to Ponyville, much had happened since they defeat Daymare Sol; the Cutie Map in the castle sent them to solve Friendship problems, the Grand Galloping Gala being remade, Twilight returned to Canterlot to reconnect with her old friends and most recently, Cadance and Shining Armor announced to be having a baby which Pinkie struggled to keep secret.

Soon, they walked up to the Castle of Friendship as they entered while the two Alicorns and baby dragon put their things away, Flash looked awed at being in the castle. “Wow. This castle is so much bigger than the outside makes you think.” Flash said in awed.

“Yeah, I had the same reaction when me and my brothers first walked in.” Midnight said with a chuckle.

"Maybe I was just more stressed about that match than I thought.” Twilight said as they walked down the hallway.

"Yeah," Spike said as he caught up with the three ponies, "That sounds better than Starlight Glimmer coming back with--Ow!” He cried as he felt another bonk to the head.

“Haven’t you learned to not stress Twilight out or be obnoxious yet?” Midnight questioned with a brow.

“What? Just saying. Because Starlight was Tartarus-bent on getting revenge.” Spike said in defense while rubbing his head.

"Well, when you say it like that," Twilight said lightheartedly as she opened the doors to the throne room, "it does sound kinda silly." Spike then looked inside and he gasped silently.

"Or it's totally true!" Spike said in panic.

“What’s he talking ab--Oh Celestia.” Flash muttered as he looked at where Spike was looking as his eyes widened.

Twilight and Midnight raised brows before they turned and saw Starlight sitting on Fluttershy’s throne with her hind hooves on the map as she gave a sinister smirk. “Welcome home, Twilight!" Starlight said deviously before looking to Midnight, “And you must be the Famous Midnight Shadow I’ve heard so much about,” She added.

“And I take it you’re Starlight Glimmer, the unicorn who took an entire village, including Twilight and her friends’, Cutie Marks?” Midnight asked with a glare.

“Oh, so you heard of me. I’m flattered.” Starlight said with a smirk as she levitated a scroll and fired her magic on it.

The enchanted sheet of paper fired a magic beam at the table, activating the cutie map. “Uh, what’s happening?!” Flash asked in worry as they charged at the map.

"What are you doing, Starlight?" Twilight demanded. Starlight laughed haughtily.

"I'd tell you," Starlight gloated, "But I don't want to ruin the surprise!" She then crumpled up the paper.

“What is she talking about?!” Midnight questioned as Starlight laughed as she tossed the paper aside and ignored the alicorn Knight. It was then some magic rings surrounded the cutie map. Twilight, Midnight, Flash and Spike backed up as some winds started up. Twilight fired a magic blast, but the rings nullified her blast.

Spike was nearly blown away until Twilight caught him with her wing and held him. Suddenly a dome-like portal with clocks on it appeared above the rings. Starlight looked at the dome deviously as the rings disappeared then smiled smugly at the others before using her magic to float up into the air and sucked into the dome before she and the dome disappeared.

“Where did she go?!” Spike asked frantically.

“What just happened?!” Flash exclaimed in shock.

"I don't know," Twilight said. "But we think we better find out!" She said as she walked up to the map.

Midnight looked at the crumbled up scroll as he walked towards it. “I think it has something to do with this scroll.” He said as he un-crumble it and straighten it out. “It’s definitely a spell but a pretty advanced one.”

“Well, what kind of spell did Starlight use this time?” Spike questioned before the castle started shaking.

“What’s going on?” Flash asked nervously.

“Is it just me, or does the castle feel like it’s…sinking?” Spike asked as Twilight went out to the window and gasped.

“Guys, look outside!” Twilight told them as they rushed to the window and saw Ponyville seemingly glitching between how they knew it and what looked like the apocalypse with broken buildings, red skies and craters, “What’s happening to Ponyville!?” She asked in worry.

“Is it, changing?” Midnight wandered in confusion.

“And my castle is sinking back into the ground, as if it was never grown by the Tree of Harmony in the first place!” Twilight panicked as she saw her castle sinking back into the ground.

“What?! What does that mean?!” Flash asked in panic.

“What’s happening?” Spike asked in worry.

Suddenly everything came to pause as everything around the four seemingly stopped, leaving them confused. Before they could ask what was going on, there was a flash of blue and golden light and the sound of clock chiming was heard behind them, “Who are you,” Twilight asked as they saw a tall Alicorn stallion with an golden coat, a teal mane of energy, and azure regalia with a clock on his chest plate and a cutie mark of an intricate hourglass and holding a staff with a large hourglass on the top.

“I go by many names,” The stallion began with a wise voice, “But you would know of me as, Eternatus, the Lord of Time,” He introduced fanning out his wings which had lighter blue tips.

“Lord of time?” Spike questioned with a brow.

“Um, no offense but we’ve met alicorns before and let’s just say,” Midnight paused gave a sheepish look, “You’re a little masculine,” He said as all Alicorns they met, outside himself, were mares.

“I suppose with the amount of time that is passed, it is only natural for you to not recognize a male of my kind,” Eternatus said, hardly insulted, “But we don’t have much time. My power can only hold back the fractured timeline for so long.”

“Fractured timeline?” Twilight asked before her eyes widened. “Wait, you mean Starlight Glimmer went back in time?!”

“Yes, as you know, Time is the force the control the growth an decay of all things in world, it is what lets creatures to leave behind and to obtain both new and old things, an endless river that must never be tampered with,” Eternatus explained to them with a serious look, “But this Starlight Glimmer has managed to acquire spell capable of allowing her to travel freely through the river, created by Starswirl the Bearded himself,”

Midnight was shocked before he looked at the scroll he was holding. “Um, it wouldn’t happen to be this spell, right?” He asked nervously as he showed the spell to Eternatus.

Eternatus leaned closed and read the spell before humming, “Just as I feared, with this spell, Starlight Glimmer has put all of Equestria in great Danger,” He said grimly.

“But how can that be? How can Starlight going back in time cause all this?” Spike asked the alicorn.

Eternatus then used his magic to show them a hill with a lake, a forest and gorge at the bottom, “The lake is our present, the top of the hill is the past, and the forest and gorge between are possible futures,” Eternatus explained, “When the river of events flows from the past and down the hill of the future it eventually leads it to the lake that is our present, but if a certain event occurs along the river's journey, this causes a blockade which deviates the river away from our present and into a new future,” He explained as a boulder appeared in front of the river causing the water to flow into the gorge.

Spike gave a confused look. “I don’t get the slightless.” He said with a brow.

“Spike, he’s saying that any action in the past could cause multiple outcomes that could lead to any kind of future.” Twilight said with a bored look. “Nothing changed when I used the spell since that sent me back a week during my ‘possible danger’ incident since it was supposed to happen, but this is completely different.”

“So you’re saying Starlight’s prevented a very big event in the past from happening?” Midnight asked Eternatus.

“Yes, a very key event,” Eternatus said as he used his magic to show a projection of a young Rainbow Dash racing with two colts, “The moment when your destinies began, Princess,” He said.

“That’s the time when Rainbow first did her Sonic Rainboom, which resulted in not only getting her Cutie Mark!” Twilight said with her eyes widened in shock.

“Wait, didn’t you say yours and the others Cutie Marks came because of that incident too?” Midnight asked his marefriend in wonder.

“Yes but, what?” Twilight tried to ask.

“Watch,” Eternatus said as they watched and saw the moment when Rainbow was about to do her Sonic Rainboom when she was suddenly caught in a magic grip as Hopps crossed the finish line.

“Hey, what?” Flash said in confusion.

“That’s not what’s supposed to happen!” Twilight said in shock before she saw below the clouds, she saw Starlight using her horn to trap Rainbow. “Starlight is there! She made it so the Rainboom never happens!”

“But what does that have to do with the present changing?” Midnight asked.

“The moment the Rainboom was triggered was more than the moment you earned your marks, it was also the moment where you began your journey to become Elements of Harmony,” Eternatus explained as he showed them the past versions of the rest of the Mane 6.

Young Fluttershy had been giggling and enjoying her new animals friends...when they all left her alone.

Young Applejack just sighed as she looked out her window before closing the curtains and walking away.

Young Pinkie just continued working on the farm, feeling miserable.

Young Rarity stared at the rock her magic surge had led her to before pushing it off the edge of a cliff and walking away.

Young Twilight struggled to use her magic to make Spike's egg hatch but was unable to do so as the School teachers just scribbled their notes. Young Twilight just lowered her head in defeat.

“Without this key event in history, you would have never become the Elements of Harmony, nor would you be sent on the adventures to stop the bringers of Darkness from incurring their wrath upon Equestria,” Eternatus explained as the four watched in shock, “In this particular case, here is what would happen if King Sombra had not been defeated and he declared war on Equestria,”

Eternatus then focused his magic through his staff as the four were caught in a magic bubble as the entire castle faded before they appeared over what looks like the Crystal Empire, but looked like what it was when Sombra invaded.

“The Crystal Empire.” Flash said in shock before they saw the familiar wicked unicorn umbra pony stepped out of the castle and overlooked the chaining and enslaved Crystal Ponies guarded by shadowy monstrous ponies.

“King Sombra?!” The four exclaimed in shock.

The crystal ponies were given militia-style helmets and armor that made glowing eyes to show they were under Sombra's control as a huge army. “He enslaved the Crystal Ponies as his personal army?” Midnight asked in horror.

“Yes, the Crystal Empire wasn’t enough for him, he wanted all of Equestria,” Eternatus explained as they then saw Princess Celestia leading an army of other ponies against Sombra’s army, “Celestia fought back, assembling every willing pony she could find to protect Equestria," He went on as the two armies fought as some of the Royal Guards charge at Sombra, but he summoned a crystal pillar that lifted him up and he gave a sinister laugh as the battle raged on. In the amits of the carnage Twilight, Midnight, and Spike saw some familiar faces on the battlefield.

The first pony was a pegasus with a metal wing fought off the controlled army, but when her helmet was removed, it was revealed to be Rainbow Dash, who had a wild mane and a scar on her eye. “That’s Rainbow!” Twilight said in shock as they saw Rainbow being cornered by three of Sombra’s soldiers before a familiar gray pony with buzz-cut mane swooped in and saved her.

“Storm!” Midnight said in surprise before they watched Storm and Rainbow saluting to each other and going their separate ways. “Wow, even in a different timeline, Storm and Rainbow are still fighters.”

Just then, a boulder was being rolled down towards another pony soldier, but then Maud and Pinkie jumped in, with them being as serious as the war, used their hooves and shattered the boulders to pieces. “Maud! Pinkie!?” Spike asked in surprise. “Wow, Pinkie must’ve been taught by Maud.”

Twilight however focused on the stone serious face on her normally perky pink friend, and frowned, “This, this isn’t right,” She said sadly.

“Wait, if Celestia’s here, where’s Mistress Luna?” Midnight asked in confusion, seeing only Celestia on the battlefield with her troops as she used her shield to block the troops while trying to get to Sombra. “Wasn’t she saved or still on the moon?”

Eternatus gave a solemn look, “In this time, Luna did return as Nightmare Moon, but without the Elements of Harmony, Celestia was forced to use a more…permanent solution to protect Equestria,” He said regretfully.

This made the four shocked by this. “You mean… Luna is…” Twilight stammered as Eternatus nodded his head sadly, which made Twilight gasp and cover her mouth while the boys were just as horrific as she was. “Oh, Celestia,” She said, realizing that her mentor had to put her sister down when she returned.

“But, what about the others? Rarity? Applejack? Or any of us or our friends?” Midnight asked, wanting to learn more.

“Your friends have had, difficult times in this war,” Eternatus said with a solemn look as he showed them more.

It was then shown that Fluttershy was busy shearing sheep to make uniforms, wiping her brow from working so hard. Rarity was busy making the uniforms, wiping her own brow from exhaustion as well. Applejack worked on the farm to make rations for the soldiers. Then several ponies were getting on a train to join the fight as the whistle blew and the engine let off steam.

Blaze was leading a resistance within the Crystal Empire to try and see if there was a way to stop Sombra from the inside with Shining Armor and Cadance with him. Hydro was forging new weapons and armor for the soldiers in Fillidelphia. Arbor was tending to the injured ponies who were hurt in battle or in attacks from Sombra’s Army with Zecora and Nurse Red Heart helping him. Rocky was training new recruits to fight Sombra’s Army in Canterlot. Volt was a scout sent to spy on Sombra’s army to try and figure out their next move and report back to Celestia.

The three ponies and dragon looked in horror by what they were seeing and by how their friends would be in a war that was never meant to happen. “This is just…horrible.” Flash muttered.

“I don’t understand, why would Starlight do this?” Twilight asked with teary eyes as Eternatus returned them to the castle.

“I do not believe Starlight Glimmer is aware of what her one action has done,” Eternatus explained to her.

“What are you talking about? Shouldn’t she know if she returned to the future?” Spike questioned.

“Wait, Spike, if Starlight changed the past, don’t you think she would’ve returned back to the present by now?” Midnight asked with a thoughtful look. “Because if I had to guess, she never did return back to the present, right?” He asked Eternatus.

“She intended to have you follow her and see the despair in your eyes as your connection to your friends is broken,” Eternatus explained has turned to the Cutie Map, “She wanted to insure that even if you returned to set things right she would always be there to stop you,”

“So she left her scroll behind to lure us in and suffer in the alternate timelines!” Midnight said in realization.

“Precisely, and for every new time that is created, the more time deteriorates,” Eternatus revealed grimly, “And if it deteriorates too much, all of space and time could collapse in on itself.”

This made the four gasp in shock and horror. “We have to stop her before that happens!” Twilight exclaimed while pointing to the map.

“But how, even if we travel back there, she’ll be waiting to jump on us and send us back here,” Spike reminded her, “And then we go back again, she stops us again, we get sent back again, etcetera, etecte--”

“Wash, rinse, repeat, yes, we get it.” Midnight said in annoyance before he had a thought. “Wait, this will be the first time we travel back in time. But she doesn’t know we know her trap.” He said while rubbing his chin.

“Knowledge is a powerful tool,” Eternatus said knowingly.

“So, if we go back in time, find Starlight, trick her into thinking we don’t know her plans, we get the surprise on her and stop her from changing the past!” Twilight said in realization.

“Sounds like a plan,” Flash said with a smirk.

“And it will be a good time to see the Rainboom for the first time.” Spike said with a smile while the others gave dull looks. “Too soon?”

Midnight rolled his eyes and then turned to Eternatus, “Eternatus, do you know how Starlight’ll ambush us?” He asked the Time Lord.

“Well, normally I am prohibited from revealing events that are soon to be, but considering our situation and how this takes place in the past I think I can bend the rules a tad,” Eternatus said with a small smile. “When you first arrive, Starlight won’t set up a trap for you. She’ll be hiding underneath the finish line so that your friend will be caught in her magic. So if you are to ensure the Rainboom happens, you must stop her from ever trying at that exact moment.”

“And if we time it right, Rainbow will make her Sonic Rainboom, making the timeline go back in order!” Twilight said with a smile.

“Yes, and once you stop her, I shall bring you and Ms. Glimmer to me, there the truth shall be revealed,” Eternatus said before the area around them began to tremble as the castle and Ponyville started glitching again, “My spell is failing, quickly, you do not have much time! Protect the future, young ones!”

“We will!” Midnight said with determination as they all ran up to the map. “You can count on us!” He said as Eternatus nodded with a smile as he faded away as Midnight took out the scroll. “Okay, it’s time to stop Starlight’s time plan.” He said as he then blasted the scroll with his magic, creating the time portal above them as they were sucked in with a yell before the castle faded.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” The four all screamed as they were flung through the portal where they saw some sort of sundial at the end of the portal as they were flung over.

At the end of the portal, it opened up from the sky before the four were flung out as they landed on the road of Cloudsdale as they saw the pegasi flying around. Twilight used her magic to catch Spike when they fall as they gently landed on the ground.

“Okay, we’re in Cloudsdale, but we’re not sure if we arrived at the right time.” Midnight said as he looked around. “Let’s see if we spot somepony we know to find out--” He was cut off when a familiar rainbow filly flew by in a rainbow streak that made Midnight nearly trip. “Whoa!”

“Okay, young Rainbow Dash, check,” Spike commented.

“Oh yeah, we’re in the past alright,” Flash confirmed.

“Now, we just need to find Starlight,” Twilight said as they looked up to see Rainbow’s race.

“Remember what Etenatus said? She’s hiding out at the finish line,” Midnight said he turned to the finish line and saw Starlight hiding underneath it, held up by her magic, “Gotcha,” He smirked.

“Okay, we just need to wait until Rainbow is about to reach the finish line, we jump in and tackle Starlight so that she doesn’t stop her.” Twilight instructed.

“It’s all in the timing,” Flash said as the three ponies crouched down in a ready position with Spike on Twilight’s back, “Wait for it, wait for it,” He said as they Rainbow and Hoops closed in on the finish line.

“And…” Midnight started as they saw Starlight readying her magic.

“Now!” Twilight declared as they zipped down and just when Starlight was about to fire, they collided with the unicorn.

“What?!” Starlight asked in complete shock before she looked up and saw Rainbow crossed the finish line after she created her Sonic Rainboom, much to her horror. “NOOO!!”

“Oh yes!” Midnight smirked as they landed on a cloud, “Perfect timing, wouldn’t you say?” He quipped to the unicorn.

“B-B-But, how did you--” Starlight stammered in complete shock by what just happened.

“We had help from somepony who knows a lot more about the consequences of mucking up time than you ever would,” Spike answered while crossing his arms.

“And since you don’t have the spell, you can’t go back and stop us from stopping you since your plan was to stop us from stopping you when we arrived back in this time, right?” Twilight asked smugly.

“No! No! NO! I WON’T BE DEFEATED BY A WORTHLESS ALICORN AND HER FRIENDS!” Starlight yelled in rage before the portal opened up above them.

“Looks like your time is up,” Flash quipped.

“I will not--” Starlight was then grabbed by Midnight as they were all being sucked into the portal.

“Sorry, no do-overs on this one!” Midnight called as he kept a tight hold on Starlight as they entered through the portal as she struggled to break free as her horn started glowing.

“Let go of me!” Starlight snapped as she then created a small shockwave, which made Midnight let go as she was floating in the portal stream. “I don’t need another alicorn standing in my way!” She yelled as she charged up her magic.

“You have issues you need to work out like I once did!” Midnight called with a determined look as he charged up his horn.

And then after charging up, their magic then clashed with each other, which created a huge explosion that sent the five floating back into the portal as they gave a yell as then fell through the side of the portal and vanished.

Then suddenly, the five were flung out from the sky when the portal opened up as they all gave a yell and landed on the ground as they groaned. “Wow, that’s some strong magic.” Midnight groaned as he stood up and rubbed his neck. “That was as strong as when I was a unicorn.”

“Grr… typical Alicorn dumb luck,” Starlight grunted as she stood up with a glare.

“Not luck, skill.” Midnight retorted.

Flash groaned. “I should’ve stayed in Canterlot.” He muttered as he got up and cracked his back while Twilight and Spike got up as well.

“Where are we?” Spike wondered.

“You mean, when are we?” Twilight corrected.

Starlight turned and gave a small gasp as she saw a quaint little village that they were in. “Sire’s Hollow,” She muttered.

“Sire’s Hollow?” Flash asked in confusion. “How do you know this place?”

Starlight gave Flash a look. “That map of Twilight’s is connected to every part of Equestria. And this part is my home.” She stated.

“Well, it’s very lovely,” Twilight complimented before she noticed Midnight looking at the village with a thoughtful expression, “Midnight? What is it?”

Midnight walked ahead, “I, I don’t know how but, I’ve…been here before,” He said in thought.

“You have?” Spike asked in surprise.

“If you were, I would’ve recalled somepony like you,” Starlight said with a look, which got Midnight annoyed.

“Okay, I had enough of your attitude.” Midnight muttered in frustration. “Take it from somepony who’s spent his life in hatred with nopony to turn to, it’s a lonely existence.”

Starlight looked away for a moment, “You don’t have to tell me that,” She muttered with a frown.

“What’s that?” Midnight asked but before he could get an answer the area started glitching purple, “What now?” He asked.

As they look around another time portal appears but only Twilight, Flash and Spike get sucked into it, “Midnight!” Twilight called, reaching out to him.

“Twilight!” Midnight yelled as he tried to grab her but she was already through the portal before it closed, “No!” He said, stamping his hoof down.

Twilight, Spike and Flash yelled as they fell out from the Time portal and onto the floor was a large library with a blue hourglass in the center and Eternatus waiting for them, “Thank Faust, when the time portal was disrupted I feared I never find you,” Eternatus said, walking over to them.

“Eternatus? Where are we?” Flash asked as the three stood up.

“Welcome to my Sanctum of the Ages, where I monitor and record all the events of time,” Eternatus said gesturing to the library, “Every event that has happened throughout Equestria’s history is recorded in these books,”

“Every event?” Twilight said in awe as she looked at the many books with sparkling eyes and wide smiles, “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! So many novels, tomes and unread pages, I think I'm in heaven!” She squealed.

Spike cleared his throat, “Um Twilight, Midnight?” He reminded her.

Twilight snapped out of her fantasy when Spike said that, “Oh, right, right!” She said sheepishly before turning to Eternatus with worry, “Eternatus, Midnight and Starlight got left behind in Sire’s Hollow! What happened?!”

“When Sir Midnight and Lady Glimmer’s magic collided it disrupted the Time vortex causing you to crash in random time,” Eternatus explained before rubbing his chin, “But perhaps not random at all,” He said in thought.

“Come again?” Flash said in confusion.

“After tracking your temporal position I realized that the time vortex recognized that your friend and Ms. Glimmer had truths they needed to learn and were brought to when they can learn them.” Eternatus explained to them.

“Truths?” Spike repeated with a brow.

“So how do we get them here?” Twilight asked anxiously.

“We can’t, until they find what they need to know will they be brought her,” Eternatus told them, “So we can only hope that what they find is what they need,”

“What do they need to know in Starlight’s old home?” Spike questioned with a brow. “Her fillyhood?”

Back at Sire’s Hollow, Starlight and Midnight starred at where the Time Portal disappeared “What was that?!” Starlight questioned in shock and demanding after what she just saw.

“That was a glitch in time.” Midnight growled as he looked down. “Your first time travel has caused a ripple effect in the timeline which thrusted Equestria into a war with the Crystal Empire where Princess Celestia was forced to kill her own sister.” He said lowly.

“I don’t believe you!” Starlight denied before Midnight turned to her with a glare.

“Are you seriously that dense?! If you really did know, you would’ve seen the future for yourself instead of staying in the past to prevent us from stopping your plans!” Midnight retorted. “You change anything in the past, you change everything for the future. Without Twilight and her friends, Nightmare Moon would rule, or Discord would run rampant, or Chrysalis would take over, or Sombra would enslave all, or Tirek would destroy everything, or Daymare Sol would burn all of Equestria!”

“Really? All that happened because of a small group of ponies?!” Starlight questioned in irritation.

“Oh for the love of, did you isolate yourself from the rest of Equestria without even noticing what was happening out there with Twilight and her friends?!” Midnight questioned, “Or has your hatred for Cutie Marks really made you that blind?!”

“You have no idea what I’ve been through!” Starlight yelled, stamping her hoof down.

“Then tell me! What have you been through that was way worse than the life I had without even knowing my own parents?!” Midnight snapped, which caused his horn to flickered in dark magic for a moment that made Starlight flinch back.

Before she could answer they heard the sound of foals laughing coming from behind the bushes. Growing curious, the two peeked through them to see a young purple colt playing with a little filly who appeared to be a few years younger than him.

“Wait, that’s… me.” Starlight said in shock.

“Huh, you were a cute filly.” Midnight commented as Starlight gave a look to him with a slight blush as he looked at the purple colt. “But who’s that playing with you? He seems awfully familiar to me for some reason.”

Starlight looked down, “That’s…my big brother,” She revealed as Midnight looked at her in surprise, “I don’t remember much about him but he was always there to play with me. He even made me laugh with a bit of silly faces or ticklish fights.” She said with a small chuckle.

“What happened?” Midnight asked as Starlight frowned and was about to answer before the area glitched and suddenly it turned to night with multiple fires and ponies running in terror, “What now?!” He asked in shock.

“This is, that night,” Starlight said with a terrified expression.

“What night?” Midnight asked as he saw ponies running from bipedal boar-like creatures, who were clearly the attackers.

“One day, some group of creatures I had never seen before attacked our village, destroying everything.” Starlight explained as they watched the raid, they then saw toddler Starlight crying in the foreleg of a purple, teal maned stallion while her brother stood next to a white mare with a black mane.

Midnight looked at the two adult ponies closely, feeling something itch at the back of his head, “Wait, those ponies,” He said before a torch landed between the family, separating the mare and colt from the stallion and filly. Then a large boar, likely the leader, turned to the mare before she quickly scooped the colt onto her back.

“Hang on, Middy!” The mare said as she started running with the boar right behind her.

“Mother,” Starlight whispered in awe.

“That's your mom?” Midnight asked in shock before he heard what Starlight’s mother just said. “Wait, did she just call your brother, Middy?” He asked while having a curious look on his face.

“Well, that was only his nickname, but yes.” Starlight said to him as they kept watching as Starlight’s mother and brother rushed into the forest while the boar was still chasing them as it struck Starlight’s mother’s back leg, causing her to yell in pain.

Once he got a closer look at the Colt, holding onto his mother as she zigzagged through the forest, Midnight held his head as memories of these exact events happened and he gasped, “No, it-it can’t be,” He said in awe.

“What is it?” Starlight questioned.

“That colt. I remember this day as well.” Midnight muttered while looking at the colt. “He’s… that colt is… me.”

“W-What?” Starlight asked in shock as Starlight’s mother stopped near a cliff with a raging river below it as she looked at young Midnight while her back leg was being held up.

“Middy, listen. I need you to run as fast as you can away from here.” Starlight’s mother said to him. “Run and don’t look back.”

“Why, what about you?” Young Midnight asked before Starlight’s mother hugged him before breaking up.

“I’ll be okay, Middy. But you wanna know what I wanna see, the fastest speed spell you ever done.” His mother said with a smile.

“Really? You want me to go fast?” Young Midnight said as he let loose some tears.

“I sure do. I love you, son,” his mother said with tears falling from her face, “Now go, Middy, go!” She told him as Midnight covered himself in his magic and quickly rushed into the forest as the mare turned to see the Boar striking his axe at her, making her yell in pain as she slid across the ground to the edge of the cliff and her horn broken as she saw the boar stalking towards her, its eyes glowing red and looking terrifying against the dark red sky.

“Mom!” Midnight and Starlight yelled in fear and rushed to help her but they phased right through the boar.

“What?! What’s going on?!” Starlight asked in confusion.

“It must be part of the glitch, we can only see the past but we can’t change it!” Midnight realized as they realized there was nothing they could do to help their mother.

“Hehe, nowhere to run now, Pony,” The boar said darkly, snorting a bit, “Where’s the little one?”

“Far away from you! And I’ll never tell you where he is!” Midnight and Starlight’s mother said tears falling from her eyes as she knew she had no chance of beating him but remained defiant, “Do your worst!”

“Oh don’t worry, I will!” The Boar said, raising his axe but before he could strike.

“NO!” Young Midnight suddenly pounced on the Boar’s face, blinding him.

“Midnight?” His mother said in shock.

“You leave my mom alone!” Young Midnight yelled as he jabbed his horn into the Boar’s eyes.

“RAAHHH! Let go of me, you fool!” The boar squealed in pain before he grabbed young Midnight and threw him off the edge and into the river.

“NO!” His mother yelled out as she reached out for her son, but the boar blocked her with a glare.

“Now, where were we?” He said evilly as he raised his axe while the mare succeeded back. Midnight and Starlight could only watch in horror as the boar swung his weapon down on their mother, making them look away as there was another glitch in time, which made them move away from the tragic event.

Starlight and Midnight looked at where the terrible moment took place as Midnight walked up to Starlight and gently placed a hoof on her shoulder, which Starlight didn’t mind while tears fell from her eyes, both her and Midnight were traumatized and a bit shocked by what they just witnessed and learned from.

Midnight first broke the silence as he spoke. “She called that colt Middy and my full name is Midnight…” He started. “So, that means…”

“You’re my…” Starlight started as they slowly turned to each other.

“So, we’re…” They both said as they looked at each other with wide eyes. “Siblings!” They finished.

Starlight wasn’t sure what to say or even what to feel as she looked away while clenching her eyes shut. Midnight, grew concerned as he reached a hoof to his sister, “Starlight, I-” He started before Starlight quickly faced him and hugged him tightly, shocking him silent.

“I…I missed you.” Starlight whimpered as she let the tears fell from her eyes, which Midnight was a bit surprised before he slowly returned the hug as he let some tears let loose as well.

After a few moments, they broke their hug as Starlight looked at her long lost brother. “I… hardly have any memories of you, I couldn’t ask dad after what happened to mom.” She said.

““Hey, what’s important is that we are together again,” Midnight told his little sister which made her smile. But then he frowned, “But Starlight, was it really because you lost me and mom that you hated Cutie marks?”

“No, it was, something that happened after it,” Starlight said, looking down as she lead him towards their old home where they saw Starlight, a young filly with pigtails, playing a bookstack game with an orange red-maned colt with white markings, “After we lost mom, I made a new friend named Sunburst. We did everything together, in fact I don’t remember us ever being apart. Until today,” She said solemnly.

Young Starlight went to grab a book from the bottom of the pile, but then the books wobbled and started to fall toward her. Young Starlight flinched away, waiting for impact, but then saw that young Sunburst had grabbed the books with his magic. The books began to circle around him as he floated into the air.

The books all flew into the shelf as Sunburst glowed and floated back down. It was then his cutie mark appeared. Young Sunburst gave a happy whinny and took off, leaving young Starlight alone. Young Starlight watched as young Sunburst showed his parents his new cutie mark. They both laughed as his mother lifted him in the air with her magic and carried him away. Young Starlight was devastated and began to cry.

"And just like that, my friend was gone" Starlight said sadly, "His family recognized his magical talent and sent him off the Canterlot. I never saw him again, all because of his Cutie Mark, he got his talent and I didn’t. I stayed here and never made another friend again because I was too afraid a cutie mark would take them away too," She said with tears building up in her eyes.

Midnight looked at her sympathetically, “Starlight, I’m sorry you went through that but, I don’t understand,” He said walking up to her, “What was stopping you from staying in touch with Sunburst?,”

“What?” Starlight asked as more glitches started frizzing around them.

“Starlight, you could’ve made new friends or stayed in touch with Sunburst if you had the chance.” Midnight said calmly to her. “You could’ve at least visited him to catch up, but instead, you isolated yourself from Equestria and tried to take others’ Cutie Marks because of what happened to you. And now you’re trying to do it again to the mares who stopped you without considering the consequences.”

“Like you would know how Cutie Marks are if you already have friends.” Starlight retorted with a frown.

“Hey, I never had any friends from the beginning.” Midnight said with a small yet firm look. “I was found in the orphanage but nopony wanted me because they were afraid of my dark magic. I went to the Everfree Forest to be away from everypony but somehow or another I did find my family in the form six amazing friends and a kind teacher.”

“Twilight, her friends and Celestia?” Starlight questioned with a brow.

“Well, not them, at least not yet,” Midnight said to her, which got Starlight’s attention. “I meant the other Swords and Princess Luna. We were different yes but it was our differences that made us stronger and brought us closer together, just like you and Sunburst,” He said with a smile as Starlight looked away.

“I thought Sunburst and I were the same, but we turned out different and it tore our friendship apart!” Starlight cried slamming her hooves down.

“So try again! Make new friends, find a way to reconnect with Sunburst!” Midnight told his sister with a smile, “If something you can’t control happens and changes things, work through together, that’s what friendship is,” He told Starlight as she looked down sadly, “And it’s not mine or even Twilight’s friendships that are important, everypony’s are. When yours and Sunburst’s ended, it brought us here, but just think of all the others that are out there if you just give them a chance,”

As her brother spoke, Starlight's demeanor became insecure as her tears were still falling from her eyes as Midnight's words were getting to her. The look on Starlight's face was proof enough that she was afraid.

"How do I know they won't all end the same way?" Starlight asked, no longer hiding her fear.

“Then it’s up to you to make sure that they don’t.” Midnight said as he extended his hoof. “Please, Starlight. How about we start over, not just as friends, as siblings, just like when we were foals? Please,” He pleaded to her.

Starlight was criss-crossed by her destiny as she in the distance Cloudsdale and Rainbow Dash about to do her Sonic Rainboom as she looked back at her brother, who was giving her a warm smile. After a bit of struggling, Starlight reaches out and grabs Midnight’s hoof as Rainbow did her Sonic rainboom, which made the two siblings smile as they hugged each other.

Soon, the two were then sucked into a time portal that opened up above them as they were pulled right through.

The two siblings exited the Time portal and landed in Eternatus’s Sanctum as Twilight rushed to them, “Midnight!” Twilight cheered, hugging her coltfriend, “I was so worried,” she said in relief.

“I’m alright, Twilight.” Midnight said with a smile before he realized something. “Wait, where are we? Or is it when? This is confusing.” He said as Twilight giggled.

“This is Eternatus’s Library, he brought us here after that Time Glitch,” Flash explained as he and Spike approached, “He said that you and Starlight needed to find some truth you needed.”

“So, did you find it?” Spike asked them.

Starlight and Midnight looked at each other with smiles before Midnight spoke. “You guys might not believe this, but the truth we found was a blessing and a shock, and a bit of trauma but the two formers are more important.” He said with a slight smile.

“Well, can you tell us?” Flash asked. “Because you know how Twilight was when she wanted to know.”

“I will but once we get home,” Midnight said before turning to Starlight, “But first, I think Starlight would like to tell you something, Twi,” He said with a smile.

Twilight turned to Starlight as the unicorn gulped and approached Twilight. “I-I’m sorry for not giving friendship a chance and sorry for taking your and your friend’s Cutie Marks. I was, just afraid to try friendship again after what happened to me when I was a filly.” She apologized as she rubbed her hoof. “I was hoping, that you would…be my friend.”

Twilight was surprised by Starlight’s offer and sudden change of attitude as she turned to Midnight, who nodded with a smile as Twilight turned back to her with a smile. “I would be honored to be your friend, Starlight.” She said with a smile.

Starlight looked surprised by Twilight’s words as Midnight walked up to her. “If there’s one thing Twilight is good at, giving others second chances and being understandable.” He said before giving a grin. “Most of the time.”

“Hey!” Twilight said with a look as the group all laughed in amusement before she joined in. “Okay, maybeI do.”

“It seems that you have finally changed the error of your ways, Starlight Glimmer.” Eternatus spoke up, which startled Starlight as she and the others turned to him.

“Who… Who are you?!” Starlight asked in shock.

“I am Eternatus, the Lord of Time, and I must thank Sir Midnight for being able to reach that little bit of light buried beneath the darkness of your despair,” Eternatus said looking to Midnight as he smiled, “You have the spell?”

“Oh, uh…” Midnight said as he pulled out the time spell. “Right here.” He said as he gave the spell to Eternatus.

“From time it breaches to Time it returns,” Eternatus said as he took the spell and put it in one of his shelves, “And now, I believe it is time you all return home. But before you go, let me give you a bit of advise, young Princess, for a great threat you will soon face,” He said to Twilight.

“A great threat?” Twilight repeated in confusion. “What great threat.”

“You’ll find out in time.” Eternatus quipped with a smirk as Twilight groaned. “Just remember, all the strength you need is found around you and inside you,” He advised which made Twilight confused, “Now, off you go.” He said as held out his staff and opened another time portal as the five flew through it and it closed, “Let us hope your child can overcome what awaits, your Majesties,” Eternatus said to himself before walking down the halls of his library.

Soon, the five were sucked out of the portal back into the throne room of the Castle of Friendship as a magic beam shot out from the map and into the portal as it closed while creating a small shockwave.

“We’re back!” Flash cheered. “Man, that was one crazy time adventure.” He commented.

Spike wasted no time kissing the throne room floor. "One Castle of Friendship - check! He said.

It was then the doors burst open, revealing the rest of the Heroic 14 came in. “What the sam hill was that?” Rocky asked in surprised.

"Is everypony okay?" Fluttershy asked.

“We saw a huge flash just a second ago,” Blaze said.

"Can you do it again?" Pinkie asked with a squeal.

"One group of amazing friends - check!" Spike said with a smile.

“Yup, we’re home.” Midnight said with a smile.

“Um,” Sunset spoke up as they turned to see the others giving Starlight nervous or suspicious looks, “Can we talk about the elephant in the room? What’s she doing here?” She asked skeptically as Rarity and Fluttershy winced at seeing the lilac unicorn. Starlight just looked sadly away.

“Who’s that?” Volt asked with a confused look, as were the other Swords of Justice.

“That there is Starlight Glimmer we told y'all about.” Applejack said with a suspicious look she was giving to Starlight.

"Actually, it's kind of a long story," Twilight said as she put a fore-hoof on Starlight's shoulder supportively while the mare gave a nervous smile.

“A very long story.” Midnight added before he gave a nervous chuckle. “But uh, you guys are gonna be in for a shock when you hear it.”

Later, Starlight was now pacing nervously back and forth outside the throne room as the Heroic 15 t held an emergency meeting inside while Flash stood out to keep her company. Twilight and Midnight had gotten done telling them what had happened.

“Whoa, so she’s your sister?” Storm asked in shock.

“Yeah. She’s my little sister.” Midnight said as he scratched his head sheepishly. “And it took a time travel mishap to know more about my past. And stopping her from nearly stopping the Rainboom before all of Equestria fell into chaos in bad alternate timelines.”

"I mean, I knew my rainboom was awesome," Rainbow said with a smile, "But I never thought all of Equestria depended on it."

"Or on us!" Pinkie said with a wide smile.

"I think it's more than that," Twilight said. "Friendship connects all of Equestria, and undoing one group of friends made its magic less powerful."

"I can't believe y'all were able to travel through time like that," Applejack commented.

"That Starlight must be pretty magical!" Pinkie said. “I totally see a resemblance to Midnight! You have a strong sister!”

“I guess it runs in the family.” Midnight said with a sheepish smile.

"She obviously has more talent for magic than almost anypony we've ever seen," Twilight said. "Our magic couldn't stop her. We had to convince her to stop on her own. Once we realized that, everything fell into place."

“And it also took me encouraging her and finding out I’m her brother to snap her out of it.” Midnight added with a thoughtful look. “Man, Starlight had more magic than me when I was a Unicorn.”

"But if she's as powerful as all that," Applejack said, "We can't just send her on her way, can we?"

“Actually, Twilight and I have an idea that might help all of us,” Midnight said with a smile as Twilight returned the gesture.

Starlight was still pacing some more as she heard the conversation in muffled sounds while Flash turned to her. “Nervous?” He asked.

“Like crazy,” Starlight said a bit nervously.

“Hey, if I heard about them, they wouldn’t harm you, unless you do it to them.” Flash said with an uncertain look as Starlight got even more nervous. “Yeah, not helping. Sorry.”

"So do we all agree on the plan?" Twilight proposed as one by one, all their friends nodded with smiles.

“Great, I’ll go get her.” Midnight said with a smile as he stood up.

“Can’t I do it?” Spike asked with his finger raised.

“Sorry, Spike. This is a family thing.” Midnight said before giving a smirk. “And uh, no offense, but I had a feeling you might say something that might make her nervous.”

“Yeah that’s-Hey!” Spike retorted while the group all shared a chuckle as Midnight walked up to the door and opened it for his sister and Flash to come in.

“We’re ready for you, sis. You too, Flash,” Midnight said as the two ponies entered the throne room while Starlight looked at them with a nervous look.

"I know there's no excuse for what I did," Starlight said as she approached the table, "but I want you to know that I'm ready for whatever punishment you think is fair."

"I've been thinking a lot about how badly Equestria fared without just one group of friends, because even when one friendship dies, the results can be disastrous." Twilight said with a smile.

"I know first-hoof how true that can be," Starlight said sadly.

"And that's why we've asked you here," Twilight said as she walked up to the unicorn, standing next to her Coltfriend. "If you're willing to learn, I'm willing to teach you what I know. You'll have the power to make Equestria an even better place."

They all gave her a smile. Starlight was surprised.

"How do I start?" Starlight asked in a hushed tone.

"Starting is easy!" Midnight said, "All you have to do is make a friend. And you’ve got a whole bunch of them right here,"

Starlight smiled widely as she hugged her brother tightly, which made him chuckle as the other laughed at the scene. “We have a lot to catch up on!” She said to her brother.

“We sure do.” Midnight said with a smile before turning to Twilight. “Hey, Twilight, is it okay if me and Starlight have fun together?”

“By all means.” Twilight said with a nod and a smile.

“Great!” Midnight said as he guided Starlight out. “You need a tour of Ponyville. And you gotta show me that Cutie Mark magic thing you did.”

“After you told me how you became an Alicorn.” Starlight said with a smile. “Seriously, I didn’t think stallions can be Alicorns as well.”

“Well, yeah. And here’s a thing, I started out with dark magic, which is why I never been adopted or have any friends.” Midnight said with a chuckle.

“Really? I didn’t even need to consider dark magic. I have studied spells all my life, usually going with my guts to cast them.” Starlight said with a surprised look and a smile.

“Me too. It’s how I manage to control my magic before becoming an Alicorn.” Midnight said as he flapped his wings. “But before that, I managed to purge evil out of somepony with my magic.”

“Clever. I bet you can’t fly fast with my speed spell.” Starlight said with a smirk.

“Oh, it is on, little sister.” Midnight said with a challenging smirk as the Heroic 15, and Flash, watches them go.

Twilight gave a chuckle. “Siblings.” She said in amusement. “I know that feeling.”

“Something tells me that Midnight is gonna have a blast with this and Starlight will fit right in just fine.” Blaze said with a smirk.

“You said it, Blaze,” Sunset said with a chuckle, having a feeling that their friendship just got bigger and their adventures just got more interesting.

Author's Note

SURPRISE! THE SERIES LIVES!!!

Sorry for the long wait, but my friend on Deviantart has been working on future characters in the story, but now Age of the Alicorns is back with new Characters and surprise.

Lord Eternatus (And yes I borrowed that name from Pokemon) is an OC Alicorn who will play a role in Book 2. His name is a pun to how Time is Eternal. He is one of another Duo of Alicorns and I think you can guess what the other one is an Alicorn of.

Also, Starlight is Midnight's brother?! Since Starlight and Twilight look so similar, I figured since my OC is similar to Twilight in a few way, and Starlight's mother was never seen or mentioned, I figured I'd make them related. As for the creatures who attacked Sire's Hollow and killed Starlight and Midnight's mother, we'll see them again in Book 2.

And, Flash Sentry has come to Ponyville as a rookie Knight, serving more or less the same role as Starlight, acting as Midnight's student. Sorry to any Flashlight shippers but there will be no Love Triangle here, since this Flash doesn't know Twilight like the EG Flash.

Next time, The Heroes will Journey to the Crystal Empire for a most momentous occasion which may take a Very Chilly turn of events.

Don't forget to Like, Comment, and Follow me on Fimfiction.

stay cool, stay friends and I'll see you on the website.

Until then NNNNIIIINNNJJJJJAAA-GO!!!

The Crystalling

Three weeks had passed since Starlight had tried to destroy Equestria and tried to tamper with the very fabric of time since Twilight and Midnight convinced their friends to let her stay with them as Twilight and Midnight’s faithful student. Starlight even got a new mane style to change her appearance as she let her front bangs grow and they now curved beautifully around her horn.

In the morning, Starlight was trying to find the library Twilight and Midnight instructed her to, but she was having trouble finding her way around. “Okay. Library… Library… Where did they put the library?” She asked herself.

Starlight peeked on each side of the hallway, which all looked the same as she sighed. “This castle looked a lot smaller from the outside.” She muttered.

She then walked up to a door and opened it, but what she saw shocked her to find Spike in the bathroom brushing his teeth, wearing both a spa headband and a bath towel around his waist. “Morning, Starlight.” He greeted her casually with a mouth full of toothpaste.

“Whoops!” Starlight said in embarrassment and surprise, immediately closing the door and covering her eyes, “Sorry Spike. I guess I’m still trying to find my way around,” She apologized with a sheepish smile, “You wouldn’t happen to know which way the Library is, do you?” She asked.

“Next door on the left.” Spike answered, pointing to the left while poking out the door. Starlight shielded her eyes again and turned to see the door to the library.

“Oh, thanks,” Starlight said sheepishly, embarrassed she was off by one door. She then entered the room where she found Twilight and Midnight reading a scroll.

“Acceptance, mm-hmm,” Twilight read aloud as Midnight sighed. “Altruism, definitely.” She said before she noticed Starlight peeking in. “Starlight, good morning, come in!”

“Sorry, I’m late.” Starlight said as she entered.

“Got lost in the castle again?” Midnight asked with a small smirk.

“Yeah sorry, I got a little turned around,” Starlight apologized sheepishly as the two approached her, “I still can’t believe your letting me stay here. Even, after everything I did,” She said, looking down in guilt.

Midnight put a wing under her chin and tilted her head to him, “Hey, your my little sister, you’d always be welcome here,” He told her with a smile, “I never let the dark past define me, and neither should you,”

“The castle is your home now, and as far as being our pupil goes, we were just trying to figure out what your first friendship lessons should be!” Twilight said with a smile while heading over to the table.

“Twilight, didn’t she already past her first Friendship lesson?” Midnight questioned. “She is already heading to lesson four at the minimum.”

“Since when?” Twilight asked in surprise.

“Since she became part of the group.” Midnight reminded her with a brow. “Becoming a friend, apologizing, and spending time with friends, that’s three whole lessons,”

“Well, I’m currently working on Starlight’s fourth friendship lesson as we speak.” Twilight said while giving a smile.

“Oh, well, it looks like you’re really narrowing it down,” Starlight said with a smile as she look at the scroll.

“Oh, these are just the A’s.” Twilight said with a smirk, “After this, we move on to the B’s!” She continued as she gestured to a table filled with stacks of papers and scrolls and gave an exciting smile.

Starlight winced and have a brave forced smile while Midnight saw that she was feeling overwhelmed before he walked up to the stacks and just knocked them down to the floor, which Twilight gasped. “Midnight?! What are you doing?!”

“Twilight, I’m all for teaching Starlight, but let’s try and start slow with just three options.” Midnight told his marefriend, “I mean, for a rookie, this many lessons can be overwhelming. That’s probably the only way she’s not like you,” He commented.

Twilight and Starlight blinked in confusion, “Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?” Starlight asked.

“Well, for one thing Starlight, I can tell when you’re about to have a breakdown from this stack…” Midnight started while pointing from the stacks as Starlight gave a sheepish chuckle. “And while you are as powerful as Twilight and I, you don’t have her over-excitement and vast knowledge of friendship.”

“Hey,” Twilight said with a look while Starlight snickered.

“And for another, I think I may already have an idea what your next lesson should be,” Midnight said with a smile.

“Really?” The two mares said in surprise.

“After that whole time craziness, I looked into it and I found out an old friend of yours just moved to the Crystal Empire,” Midnight explained with a smile while holding up a lesson.

Starlight’s face went pale when she realized who he was talking about, “Sunburst?” She whispered to herself.

“Yeah.” Midnight nodded. “Twilight managed to reconcile with her old friends from Canterlot, so maybe this will be the next lesson for you to learn more about friendship by reuniting with your old friend.”

“You know, Midnight, that’s actually a great idea!” Twilight said with a wide smile. “And since we might be heading to the Crystal Empire for Shining and Cadance’s baby’s presentation, it will be killing two birds with one stone,” She said but unknown to them Starlight’s mind was racing with anxiety and panic.

Starlight hadn’t thought of Sunburst since she and Twilight dueled across Time and the memories of being abandoned by him and the fear of being rejected when he learned of what she had done all over a cutie mark filled her with dread as she clenched her eyes with tears forming in them while she started panting through teeth and nostrils.

“Star?” Midnight’s voice suddenly reached her as Starlight looked up to see Midnight and Twilight looking at her in concern, “Are you okay?” Midnight asked.

“W-Why do you ask?” Starlight asked her breath slowing down.

“You’re crying,” Twilight noted, pointing to her eyes.

“I-I’m fine. Just, need some air real quick.” Starlight assured as she cleared her eyes. “I’ll check in with the girls at the Throne Room. Call me when you’re ready.” She said before she walked out of the door.

Midnight raised a brow and used his magic to bring Starlight back inside, “Star, come on, it’s me. Now give me the truth,” He told his sister, “You’re scared of seeing Sunburst again, aren’t you?” He asked, Starlight wanted to deny it but couldn’t as she slumped a bit.

“Is it that obvious?” Starlight asked solemnly.

“I’m guessing you’re worried if you see him again and he finds out what you did during your,” Twilight coughed a bit, “Checkered history, he won’t call you his friend again,”

Starlight nodded as Midnight wrapped a wing around him, “I’m sure if Sunburst was your friend he wouldn’t care what you’ve done. Plus, from what you said he’s a geek about magic, I think he will be amazed by your magical skills, I mean Time Travel? Even Twilight could only travel back a week into the past when she was a unicorn.”

“It’s true, you’re magic is nothing to sneeze at,” Twilight added encouragingly, “And if Sunburst loves magic as much as you described I’m sure he’d love his best friend’s magic especially,”

Starlight blushed at the praise and at the idea of Sunburst geeking over her magic but she still didn’t look confident, “Still, Sunburst is probably some big important wizard right now and I still can’t find my way around this castle. You really think he’d have time for somepony like me?” She asked.

“We do and we’re not saying you have to go back to being friends right away, just drop in, catch up and when we leave, you can write letters to each other,” Midnight told her as he and Twilight stood next to her, “And if things do go south, you still got us,” He added with a smile.

“Thanks, guys,” Starlight as the three shared a hug.

“Now, why don’t we join the others in the Throne Room and see how our plans for our trip are coming?” Twilight suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” Midnight nodded in agreement.

Starlight nodded as well before giving a sheepish look, “Just one question: Which way is the Throne Room?” She asked the two as they sighed with smiles and eye roll.

In the Throne room, the members of the Heroic Fourteen, alongwith Flash Sentry who moved to castle under the Swords’ tutelage, “Look I’m telling, we should leave right now!” Blaze said stamping his hoof, “The train to the Empire takes way too long,”

“Yeah, we should leave ASAP! I don’t wanna miss that Crystalling.” Rainbow said in agreement as Twilight, Starlight and Midnight walked in.

“But um, shouldn’t we wait for the invitation?” Fluttershy asked while raising a hoof.

“Indeed, if we arrive prematurely it might stir up some unneeded fuss and bother,” Hydro pointed out.

“Frankly,” Applejack started. “I’m not exactly clear on all the customs and traditions of the Crystal Empire, especially when it comes to a Crystalling.”

“You’re not the only one, AJ.” Storm said, looking confused himself.

Starlight then walked with a curious look, “What’s a, Crystalling?” She asked.

“Uh that’s a good question that, we don’t have a good answer to,” Rocky said scratching his head.

“Yes, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor’s baby is due any day now, and we’re still not sure on all the details of this Crystalling,” Rarity said unsurely.

“Can’t be helped,” Flash suddenly spoke up, “The Empire was gone for thousands of years, so a lot of its culture’s on…the murky side of the history pool,” He said with a brow.

Sunset then spoke up, “But it’s not like we don’t know anything,” she said, looking to Starlight with a smile, “We know that the Crystalling involves the new baby,”

“And a Party!” Pinkie added with a bright smile, popping up next to Starlight.

“And the Crystal Heart,” Arbor added while next to Fluttershy who nodded.

“And a party!” Pinkie shouted again from behind them, making Fluttershy and Arbor flinch and the latter raised a wing over her face.

“And some kinda wild energy of the Empire,” Storm added, hovered over them.

“And… a par--” Pinkie tried to repeat while standing on the map.

“WE GOT IT, OKAY?!” Midnight roared, making Pinkie get flung backwards to her throne while shrinking a bit in fear from Midnight’s outburst.

“It’s not too hard to understand,” Spike said as he approached the table. “Most things in the Crystal Empire aren’t. Like how I’m a big hero there, for example.” He said as he showed a drawing of his statue and smirked cockily. Starlight looked puzzled while the others gave amused or unamused expressions.

“We told you to watch the ego, ya Scalebrain,” Blaze said as he gave Spike a flick to the face with his wing.

“Ow!” Spike grunted before he gave a sheepish look. “Plus, I’ve had to help Twilight do a lot of research on Crystallings.” He said as Twilight nodded and used her magic to bring up a vase with the Crystal Empire’s Design, and had a picture of two ponies and a newborn baby.

“Whenever a baby is born in the Crystal Empire, the parents bring it before the Crystal Heart,” Twilight explained as she turned the vase to show the father levitating a crystal shard, “They get the purest shard of Crystal they can and then pick a Crystaler, who will present the baby to everypony who comes to the occasion,” She went on as the vase showed another mare bowing before the parents before showing the baby to a gathered crowd.

“Hey, that’s us!” Volt pointed with a grin.

“Yes, don’t interrupt!” Twilight said with a look as Volt quieted down and she continued, showing them a picture of the baby under the Crystal Heart while shone brightly, “Then, they share the light and love they feel, feeding it to the crystal which then joins with the heart and increases its power,” She finished as the others were amazed by this, “And since this is a Royal Crystalling, the entire Empire will there. That hasn’t happened in millennia,” She added.

The others looked to each other smiling, now eager to see this Crystalling. Starlight however frowned in confusion, “Wait, what do you mean it increases the Crystal Heart’s Power?” She asked Twilight.

“The power it uses to protect the Empire, duh,” Storm said like it was obvious.

“Yeah, but from what?” Flash asked him.

The others started thinking before Midnight had a thought, “Wait, I just realized something. If King Sombra knew that the Crystal Heart was the only thing that could stop him, why did he hide at the top of the Castle?” He questioned.

“Huh, you’re right. If he really was that scared of somepony finding it, wouldn’t it be easier to destroy the Heart?” Rainbow added.

“Which means, either the Crystal Heart is so powerful Sombra couldn’t destroy it, or…” Sunset trailed off.

“He could destroy but chose not to,” Blaze finished while furrowing his brow, “Maybe Sombra kept the Heart to keep the Crystal ponies from getting out of the Empire,”

“Or, he was trying to keep something far worse from getting in,” Hydro added forbodingly.

“Something worse? L-Like, what?” Fluttershy trembled.

“What can be worse than an evil shadow unicorn king?” Storm questioned.

“I don’t know. But it had to be something pretty powerful if Sombra was afraid of it” Midnight theorized.

“We could probably ask Cadance and Shining when we-” Twilight stopped and gasped when she saw something flying by in a window, “Guys, to the balcony! Quick!” She cheered before racing off.

“What got her so jumpy so suddenly?” Starlight asked as they rushed up to the balcony where they saw Twilight leaning against the rail beaming brightly.

Flying towards them was a single, rather large snowflake, “Oh boy, looks the weather factory let some snowflakes loose again,” Storm said in concern.

“Oh, this is no ordinary Snowflake,” Twilight said as she caught the snowflake on her wing, revealing a folded letter that opened up to show an invitation with the Crystal Empire Royal Crest on it.

“It’s a Crystalling invitation!” Spike said with a wide smile as Twilight read it.

“It’s a girl! Shining Armor’s a father!” Twilight cheered before she then spoke in a proper tone. “I’m an aunt! Midnight’s an uncle!”

Midnight gave a good-natured chuckle while others smiled or cheered in excitement and joy, “Slowdown Twi, while you are definitely an aunt, we’re not married so your niece isn’t my niece.”

“Don’t care! You’re an uncle! Princess’s orders!” Twilight said excitedly before squealing and jumping at Midnight with a hug.

“Well, looks like our course is set,” Flash said with a smile.

“Yup, next stop, the Crystal Empire!” Midnight declared as the others cheered in agreement and headed out to get ready. Midnight stayed behind with Starlight who still looked worried, “Hey, if it makes you feel better, we can see the baby first then you can go and see Sunburst, deal?” He offered.

“Deal,” Starlight nodded with a smile as the two left to prepare for departure as well.

Soon, the group are on the train to the Crystal Empire, having agreed that the Waypoint might risk their gifts getting damaged. Starlight was still nervous about meeting Sunburst again while looking out the window while the girls were finishing the touches of their gifts and the boys relaxing next to them.

Rarity was busy stitching the final touch on a baby blanket, Fluttershy had a stuffed bunny, Sunset was polishing a music box, Applejack was just sitting quietly next to something with a white cloth, and Rainbow sitting behind her as she gave a loud yawn and stretched.

“Uh, Applejack, what is that?” Rainbow asked as she noticed the cloth-covered object.

“Oh, just a little somethin’ for the young’un,” Applejack said as she removed the cloth to show a hoof-crafted wooden cradle with a hoof-stitched blanket inside. The others smiled as they gathered around it. “Made from genuine Sweet Apple Acre trees. We make ‘em for all the Apples, and anypony related to Twilight is practically family.” She added, which made Twilight smile with gratitude.

“Aw, that’s sweet,” Sunset said with a smile.

“Yeah… it’s okay.” Rainbow started with a smug look. “But it’s no Cloudsdale mobile! Bam!” She exclaimed as she presented a mobile that had rainbows, clouds, and even lightning bolts dangling from it.

“Ooohh.” Both Pinkie and Rarity said in awed.

“Pretty.” Pinkie said as she tapped one of the dangling charms, making the shrink break and the charm fall and shattered and hit the floor. Rainbow glared while Pinkie just smiled apologetically.

“Perhaps you should stop touching things, Pinkie.” Volt advised.

“I’ll try.” Pinkie said.

“Well, a mobile is real nice…” Rocky said with a shrug. “As long as you have somethin’ to lay in so you can look at it.”

“Thanks, Rocky.” Applejack said with a smile before she was surprised when Rarity pulled out the blanket from the cradle and replaced it with the blanket she made.

“And it’s even better a fetching blanket to keep you warm.” Rarity said as Applejack just gave a smile.

“And a nice soft melody to fall asleep to,” Sunset said as she opened and played her music box as it played softly and happily.

“Wow, that’s actually a nice lullaby, Sunset,” Blaze said before he chuckled. “I think you put Volt and Pinkie to sleep.” He said as he gestured to the now-sleeping ponies.

Twilight gave a smile, “I’m sure Shining Armor and Cadance will love all our gifts,” She told them, “But I’m sure they’ll be even more happy we’ll be attending the Baby’s Crystalling and empowering the Crystal Heart,”

“Uh, guys? Empire ho!” Flash called as he pointed to the station and they came to a stop.

After waking Volt and Pinkie up, the group all disembark from the train, “Alright, first we meet the new baby, and then while the others work on their duties we-” Midnight tried to say before bumping heads with Shining Armor, who looked like he lost a lot of sleep. The stallions shook their heads and looked to each other, “Shining Armor?” Midnight said in surprise.

“Midnight…” Shining Armor said tiredly with a tired smile as he then turned to Starlight, but his vision was a bit whacked. “And Twilight… Good to see you.”

“Uh, Twilight’s over there,” Starlight said with an awkward look while pointing to her right where Twilight is.

“Oh, sorry,” Shining said slightly embarrassed, “You two are so similar I just thought,”

Twilight and Starlight looked at each other, “I don’t see it,” Twilight said with a brow.

“Same here,” Starlight said with a brow too.

Midnight snickered, “You two are actually a lot alike, you know that?” He commented to marefriend and sister.

“We are nothing alike!” Both Twilight and Starlight said in unison before their eyes widened as the others snickered.

“Oh, I don’t know. I see it.” Rainbow snickered.

“Perhaps if we,” Rarity said, pulling out a comb and brush.

Starlight got nervous, “Hey, wait what are you-?” She tried to ask before Rarity came over her, worked on her mane and when she was done, Starlight’s mane and tail looked just like Twilight’s.

“I give, Twi-n-lights,” Rarity quipped as she brought Starlight next to Twilight, who now looked like twins, while the others laughed.

Twilight turned and snickered at her student’s new look while Starlight looked at her dully, “That’s a good look for you, Starlight,” Twilight giggled.

“I prefer my own style, thank you very much.” Starlight said as she used her magic to get her mane and tail back to how it was.

“Heheh, best joke I heard all morning.” Shining Armor said with a tired smile and a small laugh.

Twilight then turned to Shining, “Still, why didn’t you tell us you were meeting us at the station?” She asked.

“Of course I did!” Shining replied tiredly and making goofy eyes and faces. “It’s me. Right here. Here I am. Why wouldn’t I come to meet my sister and future brother-in-law? Though we have met before, heh-heh.” He said while Rainbow giggled and Rocky looked amused.

The others all gave worried, confused, surprised, or amused looks. “Uh, are you alright, Shining?” Midnight asked with a brow while behind him Starlight and Blaze glanced to Fluttershy and Hydro amusedly while they raised brows and frowned.

“Never better, Midnight!” Shining reply, still looking mentally unstable. “Being a father is amazing! And wonderful, and amazing, and confusion, and amazing, but surprising too, you know? I mean, not that you or Twily would know that I know? You know?” He asked while giving a creepy smile with insanely large eyes.

Midnight felt creeped out before turning to Hydro. “Hydro, if you would.” He instructed, knowing what’s going through Shining.

“Of course old chap.” Hydro said as he then summoned a water blast and then he shot it at Shining Armor right in the face.

The stallion yelped and cried out as he shook his head, “Who?! What?! Where?! When?! Why?! How?! Baby-?!” Shining babbled before Twilight slapped him across the face, “Thank you, Twily,” He said, more calmly and rubbing his cheek.

“You’re welcome, BBBFF.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Hadn’t rested much, Armor?” Sunset asked with a grin.

“Sorry, I haven’t slept since Cadance had the baby,” Shining apologized, still looking tired, “Come to think of it, neither has she. Good thing Mom and Dad decided to come early so she and I could take a break,”

“Wait, they're here already?” Twilight asked in surprise.

“So are Celestia and Luna, after the birth we needed some answers from them,” Shining told them.

“Why? Is there something wrong with the baby?” Midnight asked as they all looked concerned.

Shining immediately raised his hooves, “No, no, don’t worry she’s perfectly fine but, well,” He trailed off, unsure what to say, “It’s a little complicated.” He said as they all looked even more confused.

“Meaning?” Starlight asked before they saw Shining had fallen asleep while standing up.

“Oh for,” Midnight said while rolling his eyes before getting an idea and taking a deep breath, “On your hooves, Manticore Meat!” He yelled like a commanding Officer as Shining woke right up.

“Sir, yes Sir!” Shining said while saluting like a soldier before realizing what happened, “Sorry, again,”

“Don’t worry, at least now I’ll know what being is going to be like someday,” Midnight told with a grin while sending a wink to Twilight who blushed and smiled a bit, “So, you were saying.”

Shining sighed and started walking away, “It, might be easier if I just show you,” He told them.

The Heroic 17 looked to each other before following after Shining to the Crystal Castle. “I’m sorry, Starlight. But I guess combining your first lesson with this visit wasn’t such a good idea.” Twilight apologized.

“Don’t be, Midnight and I were planning on seeing Sunburst after the baby,” Starlight assured her, “Besides, you’re an aunt and uncle now, that’s a little more important and absolutely terrifying reunion with your childhood best friend who may or may not hate you after learning you were cutiemarkhatingtimetravelingrevengecrazedpyschopathnowstudentofthePrincessofFriendship!” She said nervously while smiling.

“Yeah, she’s really not ready yet,” Midnight said dully, “But once we see the little filly we’ll head right over there, right?” He asked his sister.

Starlight nodded a bit hesitant and gave a smile, “Excellent, then let’s see the baby and get to Sunburst.” Twilight said as they kept walking.

As they were making their way to the Castle Nursery, Spike was filling Starlight in on how he managed to save the Crystal Empire, “And after Cadance caught me, we delivered the Crystal Heart back to pedestal and we used it’s magic to blast King Sombra into next week,” Spike finished explaining the story.

“Wow, that was actually pretty incredible,” Starlight admitted before turning to Twilight, “But considering you saw through Sombra’s illusions and found the Crystal Heart, you should be getting some of the honor too, Twilight,”

“Actually, at the door of fear, when I saw myself failing Celestia’s test and losing my place as her student, Sombra’s dark magic could’ve done something far worse to me,” Twilight explained with a small frown before turning it into a smile, “The only reason we managed to get passed it was because Spike’s voice called out to me and pulled me free. So Spike didn’t just save the Crystal Empire, he also saved my life,” She said pulling Spike into a hug and a loving nuzzle.

Spike gave a small chuckle from the nuzzle. “Ah, stop it.” He said bashfully.

From the door of the nursery came a silver unicorn mare with a white and purple mane and a cobalt blue and dark blue maned unicorn stallion. The mare turned to the group and smiled, “Twilight, You’re here!” She said happily as she came to Twilight and hugged her.

“Hi, mom.” Twilight said with a smile as she returned the hug before turning to the stallion. “Hi Dad.”

“It’s good to see you, Kiddo,” Twilight’s dad said with a smile as they broke away and he turned to Midnight, “And you must be Midnight Shadow,” he said, offering his hoof.

“Got that right, pleasure to meet you Mr. Sparkle, or is it, Mr. Armor?” Midnight asked, taking the older stallion’s hoof.

“Oh, it’s Armor but please, call me Nightlight,” Nightlight said with a smile.

“And I’m Twilight Velvet but please, just Velvet when my daughter is around,” Velvet said as she then came over to Midnight, “So, you’re Twiliy’s Coltfriend, hmm?” She asked as she took a look around Midnight, taking in his appearance.

“Nice strong athletic build, dark purple coat, wild black and gold mane, and that Scar giving off that bad colt feeling,” She noted before returning to in front of Midnight and smiled while turning to Twilight, “You take care of him sweetheart, this one’s a keeper,” She said with a wink.

“Mom!” Twilight said in embarrassment with a huge blush as the others chuckled at her teasing while Midnight was surprised by this.

“Um, thank you?” Midnight said unsure how to feel about that comment. “Uh, can we see the baby and the rest now?” He asked, wanting to move on.

“Sure thing.” Velvet said but she gave a concerned smile, “But we should warn, you might be in for quite the surprise when you see the little angel,” She warned.

“Come on, mom. I’ve met babies before I suspect this one won’t be any different,” Twilight said confidently.

Her brother and parents looked to each other before moving aside, “Alright, just don’t say we didn’t warn you,” Nightlight said as he opened the door and they walked in where the heroes saw Cadance, Luna, and Celestia at the baby’s bed while the Princess of Love is as frazzled as her husband.

Twilight and Midnight walked up to the bed and saw the baby sitting on the bed with a pastel pink coak with a purple and blue mane, a very long horn with big cute eyes while snuggling inside the blanket. The rest of the group smiled at her adoringly when suddenly the baby opened a pair of wings that were about as big as her body, shocking them as she cooed happily at the ponies.

“Wow…uh…impressive wingspan,” Midnight said, unsure what else to say while the baby sucked on her hoof which was admittedly very adorable.

“The baby is an Alicorn?!” Twilight exclaimed, finally finding her voice.

“It sure looks that way,” Cadance said with a tired smile.

“But-But-But-But I thought Alicorn wings had to be earned by accomplishing some great, princess-worthy deed!” Rarity said as Twilight nodded in agreement.

“A-hem?” Midnight cleared his throat as they turned to him, giving them a look as he raised one of his wings.

“Oh, I mean, Alicorn-worthy,” Rarity corrected with a sheepish look.

“Gender defense aside, I’m with Rarity,” Rocky spoke up, “How can a filly just be born with a horn and wings?” He questioned.

“The birth of an Alicorn is something Equestria hasn’t seen in thousands of years,” Celestia told them.

“It’s beyond even our understanding,” Luna added.

“That’s not very reassuring,” Fluttershy said in a hushed tone to the others.

“Wait, so this isn’t the first time you’ve seen an alicorn being born,” Blaze asked them, “Who was the last one?” He asked them.

Celestia glanced to Luna before making a quick look to Twilight who was distracted by the baby, “A story for another time perhaps. Still, even with her mother being an alicorn herself, the chance of the little one being born as one were very slim.”

“So, now you’ll have to worry about her flying around the place and unexpected magic bursts here and there,” Storm summarized.

“Good thing, Storm and I know all about Superstrong flying,” Rainbow said, doing a flip.

“And Midnight, Sunset, Starlight and I can help keep tabs on her magic,” Twilight offered as she tickled her niece with a wing, making her laugh.

Then, Twilight’s feather accidentally touched the baby’s nose, causing her to breathe in rapidly. Though they smiled, expecting a cute little sneeze, what they got was a huge yellow magic laser that blasted through the ceiling and the other floors up. A Single mare who barely dodged the laser, looked down with her mane scorched.

“Wow!” Midnight said in amazement as the heroes looked at the baby, shocked she just did that, “Now that’s powerful.” He complimented.

The baby just gave a cute yawn and fell asleep again. “It appears her magic is more powerful than a newborn alicorn should be,” Celestia said in surprise while rubbing the baby’s head.

“Wait what?” Spike said in confusion.

“When an alicorn is born, while their magic is indeed powerful this filly is beyond the normal level,” Celestia explained, “Some outside element must have amplified her magic,”

Sunset looked out the window to the Empire and got an idea, “Something like say, being born in the epicenter of Light and Love in Equestria?” She suggested.

The others got what Sunset is saying as they all turned to Cadance and Shining Armor, who got what they were thinking as they gave sheepish looks. “Uh, oops?” Shining asked with a sheepish smile.

“You think the Crystal Heart might’ve given the baby some of its power?” Cadance asked them.

“It’s possible,” Sunset shrugged.

“The crowds have already started to gather,” Luna said as she saw the Crystal Ponies gathering around.

“Wow, these ponies really love celebrities,” Starlight commented before Pinkie then blew a balloon and started floating.

“This Crystalling is gonna be some party!” Pinkie cheerfully said before the balloon popped and she landed on her flank.

“Do you think we should call it off?” Cadance asked Shining Armor with concern. “If the baby’s magic is so unpredictable we could risk getting somepony hurt,” She said while her daughter sucked on her hoof.

“Um, we’ve faced a lot worse than baby magic.” Rainbow confidently said.

“Extremely powerful baby magic.” Blaze corrected, looking up at the holes the baby left.

“I can’t imagine canceling such a beautiful and important ceremony over something so potentially adorable!” Rarity said as the others all gathered around the marshmallow mare and made general comments of agreement.

“In light of the little one’s abilities, this Crystalling might be more important than ever.” Celestia said as she looked at the baby and then at Cadance. “Perhaps you should address your subjects and remind them of that.”

Cadance nodded to her aunt before turning to her baby and kissed her forehead with a smile, “But first, let’s make you a little more presentable, shall we?” Velvet suggested to Cadance with a sympathetic smile.

“Don’t want the subjects to know you've been exhausted to the bone, get enough of that at home,” Nightlight said while giving Shining and Twilight a smirk.

“Dad!” Twilight said while Shining was too tired to even complain.

Cadance and Midnight snickered a bit before Cadance and Velvet walked out while Twilight walked up to her snoring brother.

“Shining Armor! Do you have everything you need for the ceremony?” Twilight asked her brother.

“Huh?” Shining asked before his eyes nearly popped out. “Oh, no! I still have to interview the honor guards, choose the purity crystal, and pick a crystaller!” He exclaimed as he rushed forward, prancing around frantically, and then sat down on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

“Well, I can see that nervous breakdowns run in Twilight’s family.” Storm joked with a small chuckle before Sunset nudged him to be quiet.

“Alright, take it easy,” Twilight said as she walked up to her brother. “Sunset, Pinkie, Blaze, Volt, and Midnight can stay with me and keep an eye on the baby!” She said as Pinkie just smiled and gave a squee as the baby clung onto the pink pony’s face and eyes as the baby giggled.

“Alright kid, you had your laugh now put the Earth pony down,” Midnight said as the baby looked to him with a curious smile, “Uh, why are you looking at me like that?” He asked before the baby squealed and latched onto his face, “GAH! What the?!” Midnight mumbled in surprise as he was completely blind while he shook his head and the baby laughed at the ride. “AAAH! BABY ON MY FACE! A LITTLE HELP HERE?!” He called out as he heard laughter.

“Oh, I think she likes you, Uncle Middy!” Rainbow laughed while clutching her stomach.

“I am so glad I didn’t miss this,” Starlight said with laughter.

“Oh, haha, very funny. Now, a little help here!?” Midnight questioned while pointing to the giggling baby as he try pulling her off. “This baby got Earth pony grip!”

“I got her.” Twilight said as she used her magic to get her niece off her coltfriend’s face but then she teleported and reappeared on Midnight again, “Hehe, I think she like being where she is,” she giggled.

Midnight sighed as the baby climbed on his head, “Do I look like a perch to you?” He asked before the baby leaned close and nuzzled him, “Oh thanks, that’s nice,” He chuckled at the cute gesture.

“Okay, now we just need to do the final preparations,” Blaze said before they heard thud sounds as they turned and saw Shining fast asleep as he snored.

“...baby…” Shining said in his sleep as he kept snoring while the others gave unamused expressions.

“That is if Shining would stay awake long enough to tell us.” Blaze muttered.

Twilight then turned to Starlight, “In the meantime, you should get to your reunion with Sunburst,” She said before handing a map, “Here’s his address, Spike can you go with her for support since Midnight’s a bit ‘busy’?” She asked her son while looking to Midnight who had the baby on his back.

“Okay, young filly. I’m just gonna gently get you…” Midnight started as he then pull on the baby to get her off, but was having trouble as he grunted. “Just… a bit… mo--WHOA!” He yelped as the baby snapped back into his face as he crashed into a wall while the others cringed. “We’re okay! I broke her fall!” He said with a groan as the baby laughed in excitement.

“Um, I don’t know, Twilight…” Starlight said uncertainty.

“It will be fine, Starlight.” Spike assured. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

Starlight was still a bit nervous before she nodded. “Well, okay.” She said and looked to Twilight, “Good luck with the Crystalling,” She told them.

“And good luck with Sunburst.” Twilight said as Starlight and Spike walked off out of the castle.

Outside, Spike and Starlight are walking towards a crystal house after following the address of Sunburst that Twilight gave them as Starlight slowly walked up to the door and knock on it when…

“Wait!” Spike called out.

“Huh? What?!” Starlight stuttered.

“Knocking on the door isn’t the next thing on the list!” Spike pointed out.

“Seriously?” Starlight asked in annoyance.

“I know Twilight can be a little nitpicky, but this is your first lesson as her and Mi--” Spike trailed off before he saw something that made him gave a weird look. “That’s odd.”

“What is it now?” Starlight questioned.

“Apparently, the list has a message here. It say, ‘P.S don’t follow any of Twilight’s steps and just go with your gut’,” Spike read the message.

It took them a moment before they realized who wrote it as they gave amusing smirks. “Midnight.” They said in unison with a chuckle.

“Hey, there’s another one.” Starlight said as she read another message. “‘P.S.S make sure to smack Spike in the head if he’s being snarky or annoyed and too overboard with Twilight’s lists’.”

“Aw, that’s nice of…” Spike said before he realized something. “Hey, wait a minute!” He exclaimed with a look as Starlight giggled.

“Thanks, Mid,” Starlight told herself, knowing that Midnight thought ahead and spared her the anxiety as she walked up to the door and knocked on it.

After a few moments, there was no reply before they heard the door slowly creaking open and a pony peeked out. Aside from being an adult, Sunburst looked the same except he now had a goatee, and glasses, and was wearing a star-patterned cloak on his back.

After peeking out and seeing Starlight, recognizing her mane and coat colors, Sunburst opened the door more, “Starlight?” Sunburst said in surprise.

“Hey, Sunburst,” Starlight waved with a shy smile until she was surprised when Sunburst moved quickly over to her and gave her a hug.

“Oh, I missed you,” Sunburst said with a happy smile.

Starlight was surprised by the hug and his words before it registered what he said and she hugged him back, “I missed you too,” She said.

“Well, Midnight was right. Just go along and not follow the list.” Spike commented while looking at the list before he saw another message that said ‘I told you so, Spike’ with a smirking face on it. “Okay, how did he do that?!” He questioned, wondering how Midnight knew these things so quickly.

Sunburst and Starlight then broke the hug. “My goodness, it’s been a long time! What, uh, what have you been up to?” Sunburst asked.

“Me? Oh! You know, some of this and some of that,” Starlight said, trying to find the right words. “Different… stuff. Right now, I’m sort of Twilight Sparkle new pupil.” She said as Sunburst was stunned.

“The Princess of Friendship?” Sunburst asked.

“Heh… yeah… that’s actually kind of why I’m here.” Starlight said. “I mean, I know you’re probably very busy.”

“What do you mean?” Sunburst asked blankly.

“Well, I figured after magic school, you’d go on to do important wizard work, but…” Starlight explained before taking a breath, “I was hoping…maybe we could catch up?” She asked with a smile and a blush.

Sunburst gave a light blush from that. “I-I think I’d like that.” He said before gesturing to her to come in. “Come on in! We have so much to talk about.” He said as Starlight and Spike smiled as they entered the house.

“So far so good,” Spike said to himself.

Back outside of the castle, Cadance was addressing the crowds with Celestia and Luna standing behind her. A curtain had been placed around outside the entrances to the Crystal Heart.

“Dearest citizens,” Cadance spoke up in a tired but amplified tone. “I’m sure you are all just thrilled and ready for this Crystalling as myself and Shining Armor.” She announced as the crowd all cheered in reply.

Shining watches nervously as his wife say her speech from behind the curtain as the others except for Sunset, Blaze, Pinkie, Volt, Midnight, and Twilight, watches from behind while Shining Armor started panicking. “I’m not ready!” He cried out as he breathed at an unsteady pace. He then flinched when he saw five royal guards standing before him.

“Look, you’re captain of the royal canterlot guard, just pick the best honor guard material,” Storm told him, holding two styled helmets.

“Right… right.” Shining said as he took the two helmets and then slapped them on the heads of the two random guards… backwards. The other royal guards just whimpered and backed away nervously.

“Not in a panicked way, you goof.” Storm said in annoyance.

Shining just looked down, “Sorry, Fatherhood is so much more stressful than I thought,” He said in regret.

“I can only imagine.” Fluttershy said in sympathetically.

“Since when, Flutters?” Rocky asked with a brow.

“I meant Parenthood,” Fluttershy elaborated.

Then Rarity arrived. “Now, I know choosing the crystal of purity is a very important decision.” She said as she held the case with several purified shards inside. “So, I have gone through the trouble of arranging them in order from incredibly pure to outrageously pure.”

“Um, Rarity, forgive me but don’t they all seem quite similar?” Hydro asked with a brow.

“Oh, well, to the untrained eye, perhaps.” Rarity said before she saw the look Hydro was giving her from that comment. “Uh… I mean… Um…”

“How about we just use this one,” Hydro suggested, picking up the third shard, “For the sake of Shining Armor’s sanity?” He added gesturing to the stallion.

“Are you sure? Because I would suggest…” Rarity tried to say before she saw Hydro giving her a smile, which made her sigh in defeat. “Very well… carry on.”

“Now, all we need is a Crystaller,” Rocky said to them. “I wonder how the others are doing with the baby?”

“Well. At least. She’s having. Fun!” Pinkie said optimistically while holding onto Midnight was being dragged by the horn by the baby’s grip.

“I! Can! See! That!” Midnight stated as Volt tried to hold onto Pinkie by the tail while the baby flew around, firing magic lasers and dragging them along.

Twilight, Sunset, and Blaze used their magic to block off each strike without causing any more damage to the room. “Guys! Hold her still!” Twilight exclaimed.

“You think we’re not trying?!” Volt questioned as they skidded across the ground before they dodged another laser.

“I am so not in a rush for motherhood after this!” Sunset stated.

“If she grows up, we’re gonna have a powerful alicorn running around!” Blaze added as they did their best to contain the blasts.

Back in Sunburst’s house, he and Starlight were sitting at a table while the former had given the latter a tea cup and pot. There was an awkward silence since neither pony was making the effort to speak to the other.

“So, the Black Knight is your brother?” Sunburst asked Starlight.

“Yeah. It was pretty shocking to me as well.” Starlight said with a sheepish smile. “My dad always said that I once had a brother, before he was lost when I was just a baby. But apparently, I found out that he is my brother.”

“Well, that’s great to hear,” Sunburst said with a smile. “I bet it was shocking to be related to a hero of Equestria.”

“Trust me. It took a bit of time to process.” Starlight said. “Hehe, crazy world, am I right?”

“Yeah. It sure is.” Sunburst said before he gave a frown. “But I don’t understand how you two managed to find each other. Did something happened to you after I left for magic school?”

“What?” Starlight spluttered before she tried to recompose herself and pour some tea into her cup. “No! I-I don’t see what that has to do with anything. W-Why would you ask? I mean, did something happen to you after you left for magic school?”

Sunburst seemed to be staring at the cup Starlight was cluelessly overflowing before he heard the question she asked and frozen.

“What? Um, no.” Sunburst said, trying to find the right word. “L-Like you said, I’m a…” He cleared his throat indefinitely. “...i-important wizard.” He said as Spike watched the scene unfold.

“Wow, they are really bad at conversations.” Spike commented.

Later back at the Castle, Rarity was combing Shining’s mane as he was taking calming breaths as Cadance, Celestia and Luna walked in. “Okay, I chose the honor guard, picked the purity crystal, and I know exactly who want to be our crystaller…” Shining said calmly.

“Twilight, right?” Rocky guessed.

“Right, so now all we need is…” Shining said but was trailed off, trying to remember before Cadance gave a ‘really’ look.

“The baby?” Cadance asked as a matter of fact. Shining Armor whimpered since he didn’t remember where the baby was or that Twilight and her group were watching her.

“We’re here!” Twilight said as she and her group used their magic to contain the baby and Pinkie inside the magic bobble while Shining breathed a sigh of relief.

“She’s a really strong flyer!” Pinkie said as the baby continued to do loop-de-loops inside the bubble.

“Strong is not much of a tougher word to say.” Blaze said while rubbing his horn.

“Hey, better her than me.” Midnight stated with a smile.

Cadance then used her magic to separate the baby from Pinkie. Pinkie floated to Twilight’s group while the baby floated just above Cadance. She whimpered a bit over being separated from Pinkie as tears built up in her eyes, which Midnight noticed.

“Uh, guys…” Midnight muttered to them nervously. “This might be a good time to stand back,”

“Why?” Sunset asked.

Midnight then pointed to the baby whose face scrunched up in sadness, “Cause I think she’s about to-,”

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’

The baby began to cry so loudly that her scream caused sonic waves. Everypony cringed at the loud volume and nearly thrown off their hooves. But even when it was over the worse came when the cries were so loud they caused the Crystal Heart to stop rotating, crack, and then shatter into thousands of pieces.

Everypony gasped in utter horrified shock as the baby innocently flew into her mother’s extended hoof while they all stared where the Heart once spun. They gathered around the shattered remains of the Crystal Heart before Blaze turned to them. “Um, I’m guessing the Crystalling not happening is the least of our problems?” He questioned in fear.

“And from the worst part, without the crystal Heart, the empire’s about to be buried under a mountain of ice and snow!” Twilight exclaimed as she looked out from the curtain and moved it aside to show a massive snowstorm rolling toward the main city from all sides. Everypony was worried except for one as the baby was too young to understand what she’d done as she just burbled innocently.

“I’m starting to understand why Sombra didn’t shatter the Heart before.” Storm muttered.

“Why does everytime we are about to have a nice celebration, something bad always happens?!” Midnight questioned in exasperation. “Can’t we just have one normal festivity or tradition for once?!”

“I believe that is unimportant right now, Midnight. The storm clouds are already forming.” Celestia said as she used her magic to hold the curtain.

“Storm and I can totally fly up there and bust those puppies! No problem!” Rainbow boasted as she tried to flew up, but Storm stopped her by grabbing her by the tail. “Ah! Hey! Storm, what are you doing?!”

“Hold up, Dash. Don’t you think it would be wise to listen to what the princesses are saying before charging straight in without a plan?” Storm questioned with a brow.

“Storm is correct, for those storm clouds are not like the ones you’re familiar with,” Celestia told them in concern.

“This far north the Weather has a will of its own,” Luna explained, “Now it will only grow stronger, enveloping everything in it’s path.”

“Along with the Crystal Empire,” Cadance said in worry while hugging her daughter.

“And all the ponies in it,” Twilight added.

“Including us!” Midnight finished as Pinkie hugged him tightly while trembling and the others looked to each other in worry, knowing that if they didn’t do something they and all in the Empire were doomed.

Back at Sunburst’s home, Starlight and Sunburst were still chatting, “I know Princess Twilight and Sir Midnight are keen on us rekindling our friendship but I have to admit, I’m curious about any new spells you may have learned,” Sunburst said while adjusting his glasses.

“I know, but there’s so much I learned already it’s hard to know where to start,” Starlight replied. “It’s not like there’s a some spell that would magically compel us to pick up where we left off.”

“Oh, actually there are several,” Sunburst countered, pulling out several spells,“ “Mismane’s Material Amity. Rockhoof’s Rappart. Flash Magnus’s fellowship…” He listed out before he turned and saw Starlight giving him a look, realizing that she was just joking. “Ahem…” He said sheepishly. “But I-I get the feeling they aren’t looking for a spell.”

“Definitely not.” Straight said with a smile.

Spike then came over to Starlight, “Maybe you should tell him the truth about ‘you know what’?” He suggested.

Starlight flinched as she got nervous again. “Truth? What truth?” Sunburst asked in confusion.

“Oh, nothing!” Starlight said with a nervous smile. “W-We should just get out of your mane. It’s pretty obvious this isn’t going how Twilight hoped, and I’m sure you have plenty of important work to do…” She said as she made her way out while dragging Spike with her magic.

“What?” Sunburst asked in confusion by her sudden departure before realizing she meant he and pulled out a book and read it. “Oh! Right, yes, heheh! Uh, no rest for the wizardly.” He said with a nervous smile.

“Come on, Spike,” Starlight said as they walked out the door while Starlight kept dragging Spike.

Back outside the castle, the storm clouds were continuing to close in on the city and the cold gust blew under the curtain as Twilight shivered before Midnight wrapped her in a wing to give her some warmth.

“So this is why Sombra didn’t destroy the Heart.” Storm said while shivering. “Who would want to rule a kingdom if it was buried in snow?” He sarcastically questioned.

“There must be a spell that can restore the Crystal Heart!” Twilight exclaimed while clutching Midnight’s wings.

“Perhaps.” Celestia said.

“But it isn’t something that either of us know.” Luna added.

“You two know every history and magic spells, especially dark magic, in Equestria but neither of you know how to restore a lost relic like the Crystal Heart?!” Blaze asked with a panicked look.

“I'm afraid the Crystal Empire's magic is still a mystery we have yet to unlock.” Celestia said with a grim tone.

“The library here at the castle is nearly as extensive as the one in Canterlot.” Cadance said as she walked over to Twilight and Midnight and handed the baby to Shining Armor. “There’s a good chance we can find something there.”

“But we need to block that storm somehow until the Heart is fixed.” Sunset said to them while gesturing to the storm and the shattered shards of the heart.

“We may be able to buy some time, but even our magic will eventually succumb to the power of the Frozen North.” Luna honestly answered.

“We’ll do what we can, but you must hurry.” Celestia firmly assured their best efforts before she and her sister set off to do so by using their magic to zap away the dark clouds that were close by the castle as the others watched them set out to do so.

“I don’t know how long it will take to find the right spell.” Twilight said to the others. “But you should tell the crowd outside to get somewhere warm!”

“And try not to mention the Crystal Heart,” Cadance advised. “We don’t want to start a panic.”

“Uh, Cadance, last time that happened from what the girls told us, there was already a panic when they thought the makeshift heart was real and look how that turned out.” Volt said with his hoof raised. “And that was before they found their Crystal Spirit.”

“Besides with how things are, Maybe it's best we-WHOA!” Blaze yelped as the wind suddenly increased in fury, blowing the curtains back as they shielded themselves against the freezing cold.

“If this is going to happen, I suggest we do it now!” Hydro told them as Twilight and Midnight closed the curtains.

“Alright, Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy, Storm, Rocky, Arbor and Flash, you try and get the crowd to cover, Pinkie, Volt, Blaze, Sunset Rarity and Hydro, you guys are with Me, Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor,” The Baby the cooed while smiling, “Uh, yes you too, little girl, in finding the spell we need!”

“We weren't prepared for that the last time," Rainbow stated, "We've totally got this."

"Then you better get going," Cadance said.

“Yes ma’am.” Applejack saluted. “Come on, ya’ll.” She said as her team rushed out while Twilight watched them go as Midnight wrapped a wing around her as they walked up back to the others.

"I'm gonna need all of your help," said Twilight the group, "The crystal library is enormous!"

"You can count on us, Twily!" Shining Armor told his little sister.

Then all of a sudden, everypony was shocked when the baby suddenly teleported right onto Pinkie's face.

"WAH!" Pinkie screamed as she pried the baby off and sent her flying. “Oopsies!”

“PINKIE!” The others exclaimed as Shining Armor and Cadance panicked as Shining tried to catch his daughter, but she teleported away.

“Now where’d she go?!” Shining exclaimed before they heard laughing coming from inside.

“I have an idea,” Blaze said with a cringe.

“Oh, for Celestia’s sake,” Midnight moaned, dragging a hoof down his face, “Come on, let’s go get her before she breaks everything,” He told them before turning to Twilight, “And Twi, send a letter to Spike. We might need his and Starlight’s help,”

“Already on it,” Twilight said, writing a letter.

Back outside the snow was starting to fall as Spike and Starlight were walking down the street together. By now, Starlight was already upset.

"Well, Spike, looks like my biggest fears came true. I wouldn't be surprised if Twilight and Mindnight decide to give up on me entirely." Starlight lamented on her failure.

"Aw, it's not your fault." Spike said otherwise as he scratched the back of his head. I'm the one who said all we needed was this list." Spike said as he burnt the list seeing it as a lost cause. "

"It's not the list, Spike. Or you. Or Twilight and Midnight. I'm the one Sunburst doesn't want to be friends with." Starlight says to make it clear she doesn't blame anypony but herself.

"I don't remember him saying he didn't want to be friends." Spike recalled as he shrugged his arms.

"He didn't have to say it." Starlight said as she looked aside and hung her head.

"Well, Twilight obviously thinks you're worth being friends with! And I do too! I mean she said herself from past experience!" Spike encouraged her with a hug.

"Thanks, Spike." Starlight gratefully told the young dragon. "At least I have two friends, even if one of them has dragon breath." She added with a wink as Spike raised a brow and breathed out as he could see his breath.

"Uh, that's not dragon breath. It's freezing!" Spike corrected her as he looked around the snow that was falling around them.

"Oh, you're right! But I thought the Crystal Heart was supposed to keep the cold weather out." Starlight stated, wondering how this is possible.

Spike’s cheeks then puffed up before he belched out a letter, “A message from Twilight?” He said, taking the letter and his eyes widened, “Oh boy, she told me that if we’ve seen the snow it’s because the Crystal was just few minutes ago destroyed by the Baby!” He read in shock.

“What?!” Starlight exclaimed.

“She, Midnight and the others are searching for a way to restore it but they’ll need our help!” Spike explained.

“Well, let’s go!” Starlight said as she placed Spike on her back as the two rushed off.

Just before the platform where the Crystalling was going to take place. Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy, Storm, Rocky, Arbor and Flash were now before the crowds, trying to convince the ponies to leave. “Look ponies, we know you’ve all been waiting eagerly for the Crystaling but,” Storm trailed, not sure how to break the news.

"We're just saying that it might not be the best idea to stay outside," Rainbow told them.

"I camped out all night for this spot!" said a mare named Tough Nut who was sitting on a beach chair, "I'm not about to just give it up!"

"You would if you knew about the heart," Rocky muttered under his breath.

"Shh!" Fluttershy shushed before trying to speak to the crowd, "Still, when you think about it, the view is just as good a little further back, like...inside your house?" she suggested The crystal ponies began to complain to each other.

"The Crystalling ceremony is one of our most sacred traditions!" a stallion named Scouts Honor said, "And when the foal is held before the Crystal Heart, I plan to be as close to the action as possible!"

"Honestly," Applejack replied, "I don't know if there's gonna be a Crystallin'. The truth is, the baby's an Alicorn and her magic's plum crazy, so you might not wanna be that close after all."

“Because one stray laser from her is enough to ruin anypony’s day,” Arbor added.

"A baby alicorn?" said another stallion named Tough Nut, "Wow, I can't wait to see that!"

"Oh, those little wings are probably so cute!" said Scouts Honor.

"I know, right?" another pony named Mustafa Combe added.

"Look everypony, I am a hundred percent sure that Crystalling isn't happening," Flash told them, right before a bright light appeared above them. Everypony looked up to see large magic lasers firing from out of the castle.

"No Crystalling, huh?" Mustafa Combe remarked, "Then why they staring at the fireworks show?" The crystal ponies all cheered.

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me!” Flash moaned ruffling his mane in frustration.

Rainbow face-hoofed herself as well before squatting down on the ground and covering her eyes. Fluttershy just patted Rainbow's in sympathy.

“How stupid are these ponies?” Storm questioned with a look.

At the Crystal Empire Castle's library; Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, Midnight, Sunset and Blaze were still finding the books about Crystal Heart. Shining Armor, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Volt, and Hydro were keeping an eye on the baby. It proved difficult as the little foal was flying around the library. They are chasing after her from every section of the library.

"Young filly...come back here!" Shining Armor shouted as he and his father had just chased after the baby, who was just giggling happily as she flew across the foreground.

Pinkie and Volt peeked out from the corners of opposite shelves. Waiting for a chance to cut the baby off and capture her. “There she is!” Volt pointed.

"Come to your Auntie Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie then tried to bounce after the baby.

Twilight was just searching books as quickly as she could with her mother, Sunset and Midnight doing the same, "Bridles Buck's Boat Chants." Velvet read out loud while looking at the cover of a book.

"Hayhoof's Intonement." Sunset read out loud too.

"Mystic Maps and Mazes…" Midnight read out loud as well. “Why do you even have this?”

aTwilight threw her head back and groaned loudly, "Anything up there?" Twilight called out to her sister-in-law who was searching the shelves.

"Not yet!" Cadance answered, pulling out books quickly, "I'm not even sure how these are organized!"

It was then the baby appeared before Cadance. Cadance smiled and went to grab her daughter when...

ACHOO!

The baby sneezed and fired another magic blast. Cadance ducked out of the way and it was heading for Sunset.

“Whoa!” Sunset yelped as she ducked under the laser as the baby flew away, “Guys, I thought you said you were watching the baby!” Sunset told the others.

“We were! But apparently watching and holding onto are two completely different things!” Blaze shouted as soared after the filly with Shining Armor behind her.

“You’re telling me!” Shining cried as they chased after the filly.

“Whoo!" the baby cheered as she teleported again and continued to fly about. It was then Rarity tried to cut her off by holding a net with her magic.

"Gotcha!" Rarity called with a smirk, but the baby easily teleported around her and kept flying as she got the net on Blaze’s head instead, "Oh! Or not..." She said in embarrassment.

Blaze gave her a look. “Seriously? A net? How’s a net supposed to stop a magic alicorn filly, Rarity?” He questioned.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Rarity said with a sheepish look before Blaze calmly took the net and snapped it in half with a dull look as he tossed it away. “You know, that wasn’t mine.”

“I got her! I got her!” Night Light called chasing after the baby, before there was a magic laser and Night Light was running away from her, “I don’t got her! I don’t got her!” He yelled in panic.

Just then, Starlight and Spike came in as they saw the chaos Pinkie continued the chase and they headed downstairs.

"Whoa!" Pinkie yelped as the baby made a tight turn and she slipped and crashed off-screen. She quickly recovered and continued the chase.

Spike hid behind Starlight when a blast came at them. The two friends had ducked just in time.

"What is going on?!" Starlight asked once she found it safe enough to stand up.

"You want the long or the short version?" Pinkie asked as the baby grabbed her hind leg and dragged her across from behind the two friends.

"Uh...short?" Starlight replied.

"The baby's an Alicorn and she accidentally destroyed the Crystal Heart," Pinkie explained quickly, "so Twilight and Cadance are looking for a spell to put it back together and save the Crystal Empire from turning into a giant wasteland of ice and snow."

That made Starlight blink in surprise. "Oh." Starlight said in worry.

“Don’t worry! We got this!” Volt assured as the baby continued dragging Pinkie Pie. Shining Armor, Volt, and Blaze surrounded them. As the trio jumped, the baby teleported while they knocked on Pinkie Pie and each other hard and fell to the floor with their eyes spinning.

As Princess Cadance continued searching, she gasped while levitating old book with golden crest.

"What about this?" Cadance asked as she brought the book over to Twilight, "Trotter's Tome of Reliquary?" Twilight took the book with her magic and began to search the pages before she smiled.

"I think this is it!" said Twilight excitedly as she showed the others the page.

“Spell of Relic Recostuition!” Sunset read with a bright smile, “Bingo!” She cheered.

"This should help us restore the heart in no time!" Midnight said with a smirk.

“I can’t believe we found it!” Velvet said, clapping her hooves.

"It's a good thing too," Twilight said in relief as she held the book with her magic, "Without this, I don't know what we'd do!"

It was then the baby teleported into a stack of books just on the right of Twilight, knocked them over, and flew away. Pinkie then chased after her and then finally dived at the baby and caught her. Before of course. The Baby gave a sneeze and fired another magic blast, which headed right for Blaze and Volt.

"Incoming!" Blaze shouted in alarm as Volt used an Electro shield to deflect the laser but rebounded it to Rariry. Rarity used a handheld mirror to deflect the magic blast, but now it was heading right for Shining Armor. He quickly used a magic shield to deflect the magic blast, but now it was heading for Starlight and Spike. But then it shot straight at Twilight's book, making the blast go right through the book.

Twilight gasped in horror while the others looked through the whole group with cringes, “Oh, you gotta be pulling my tail here!” Midnight moaned in exasperation.

"Oops," said Pinkie from the background.

"That spell was the only thing we found in the whole library that was even close to what we needed!" Twilight said in a panic.

"I'm so sorry, Twilight!" Starlight cried in guilt, walking up to Twilight.

"It's not your fault, Star," Twilight sighed as she searched through the destroyed pages. "None of us were expecting any of this."

"Do you think you can remember the spell?" Velvet asked in concern.

"I only read it through once!" Twilight retorted.

"Well, if anypony can exactly remember something she read for the first time two minutes ago," Rarity said calmly and confidently, "it's you, Twilight."

“Rarity’s right, you got this,” Spike said with a wink.

"I'll try." Twilight Sparkle said in concern as she looked through the holed book, "But I'm not sure how long it'll take."

It was then a cold wind blew inside the library from one of the holes the baby's magic blasts had caused. They could also see that dark clouds were coming in.

"Is in the next five minutes an option?" Pinkie asked nervously.

“Not if she’s got light speed.” Midnight said with a brow.

"I'll help if I can," Cadance said as she placed the baby on her back and then turned to her husband, "but we should evacuate the city just in case! You need to lead everypony to the train station before the tracks freeze over.”

“My fire can help defrost the tracks but we gotta move, fast!” Blaze told them.

"We will," Shining Armor said and then looked at his wife, "but between you and Twilight, I'm sure you'll remember the spell.”

“I’ll stay and see if I can help her.” Midnight said as he turn to Twilight. “I’m an expert at magic too, so I’ll be more help here than out there.” He added as Twilight gave him a warm smile.

Shining Armor then led the others out of the castle. Back inside, Twilight grabbed a sheet of paper.

"I only help this spell is the one we need," Twilight said worriedly as she began to write.

“We’ll get it.” Midnight assured her. “We will.”

"Is there anything I can do?" Starlight offered.

"I don't think so. I'm just sorry about your lesson." Twilight replied.

"Oh, that doesn't matter now. Sunburst and I don't have anything in common anyway." Starlight assured her it's not her fault. "He's a big important wizard! And I'm re-learning everything I ever thought I knew."

"Sunburst?" Cadance responded as she walked up to her. "I don't recognize the name, but if he's an important wizard, you should bring him here. Maybe he'll know what to do if the spell fails."

"Of course!" Starlight exclaimed as she remembered that and then ran off back to his house.

"You better go with her, Spike." Twilight instructed him who quickly follows after her while watching as Celestia and Luna start to struggle with holding off the storm.

By running very quickly, Starlight and Spike were able to quickly make their way back to Sunburst's house and briefly struggled to shut the door due to the heavy wind.

"Sunburst! Haven't you looked outside?!" Starlight told Sunburst who was currently reading his books.

"Snow?" Sunburst snapped to attention as he looked at his window and saw the dark clouds and heavy winds. "That's... not right. The Crystal Heart—" He said trying to make sense of it.

"Is gone! The baby – Shining Armor and Cadance's baby – it's an Alicorn!" Starlight quickly explained to her confused companion from the past.

"Really?" Sunburst asked as his glasses slide down slightly.

"Really!" Starlight confirmed. "And her magic is a little berserk, and well, I guess she destroyed the Heart! Kai and the Quinkan are on their way as well to get the baby! But Twilight thinks she can fix it and Princess Cadance thought you could help!" She rapidly explained the situation to him who widened his eyes at the mention they could use his help.

"Me?" Sunburst asked in surprise.

"Of course!" Starlight responded as she backs up into his bookshelf accidentally. "You're an important wizard in the Crystal Empire! It just makes sense!"

"Right... right... right right right." Sunburst awkwardly trailed away as he put away his books. "You know, I'd like to help, I-I really would. I-I just have so much, um, important wizard work to do around here." Sunburst declined as he randomly sort out multiple books on his bookshelf clearly trying to avoid something.

"Huh?!" Starlight and Spike reacted in astonishment.

Back outside, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Applejack, Storm, Rocky, Arbro and Flash were still failing to get the Crystal Ponies to move..and failing miserably.

"You can't stay here!" Applejack protested.

"Did I mention this was a Royal Crystalling?" Mustafa Combe replied, "When the Crystaller holds the one aloft, all of the Empire will share our joy and light, and the Crystal Heart will beat stronger than ever has before!"

"It really is a moving ceremony!”Scouts Honor replied, getting teary eyed.

"I really don't think it's going to happen," Fluttershy said with a frown.

“Fluttershy!" Rainbow, Storm, and Applejack retorted. The yellow Pegasus just smiled bashfully as her cheeks turned dark pink.

“Seriously! Have ya’ll not seen the Weather!” Rocky exclaimed while pointing to the air.

"Uh, this is the Crystal Empire," Tough Nut said as a matter of fact, "We've seen snow before."

"Not like this!" said Shining Armor as he and his group appeared in the background."We don't have time to argue! Princess Cadance has decided to evacuate the city!" The crowd gasped.

"But the Crysalling...!" Mustafa Combe tried to protest.

"I don't know if we'll ever have another Crystalling again!" Shining Armor replied, "The Crystal Heart...is shattered!" He said seriously.

The crowd gasped again, "It's not safe here!" Tough Nut said in a panic.

"That's what we've been tryin' to tell you!" Applejack remarked with a groan as Rainbow glared in the background. Nothing more was said before Shining Armor led the nine ponies and the rest of the crowd away from the castle.

Back inside Sunburst's home Starlight is now clearly taken aback and annoyed that Sunburst is refusing to help others in a time of need.

"Sunburst, I know you're busy, but did you hear what I said?" Starlight told the unicorn more urgently.

"Oh, I heard you, but-but like I said, when you're an important wizard, the work just piles up." Sunburst simply replied not even looking at her.

"Sunburst!" Starlight shouted to get him to pay attention to her who sighs as he took off his glasses briefly to clean the lenses a little before putting them back on.

"Look, Starlight, I want to help. I do. But I can't. I wish I could." He responded with regret in his voice.

"What do you mean?!" Starlight asked as she placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"Fixing an ancient relic? I-I can't even come close to doing something like that!" He truthfully admits his abilities limit himself too.

"But I thought you were an important wizard!" Starlight brought up.

"Well, you were wrong, okay?! I'm not an important wizard! I'm not even a wizard at all!" Sunburst tearfully confessed as he ran off much to Starlight and Spike's shock before catching up with him in another room.

"I know it's hard for you to understand, but not all of us end up achieving greatness." Sunburst ashamedly tells Starlight as he looks away.

"What? Why wouldn't I understand that?" Starlight asked as she approached him.

"Really? You're the protégé of the Princess and Prince of Friendship! I don't think they pick just anypony for that!" Sunburst brought up saying that she's lucky to be under the tutelage of a princess and prince.

"Technically, she's more of a student than a protégé," Spike pointed out as he appeared from below the table.

Starlight glared at Spike, making him hide under the table in fear.

"Whatever. I'm sorry I'm not the big important wizard you were expecting." Sunburst grimly apologized.

"Sunburst, I don't care if you're a wizard or not. I'm just surprised. You always knew so much about magic. I mean, look at all these books!" Starlight tried to assure him it's no big deal and brought up the various books inside his house.

"Yeah, well, reading about magic is one thing, but you don't know what it was like at magic school! To know so much and not be able to do any of it!" Sunburst lamented as he bitterly looked away in disappointment with himself as he slams a hoof on the table.

Starlight looked at her old friend in shock before she looked away while clenching her eyes and glaring at Sunburst, "Well, you don't know what it was like to be left behind!" Starlight retorted. "And then getting so bitter that you steal the cutie marks from an entire village and then get defeated by Twilight and her friends, so you travel through time to get back at them, but they beat you again. And need I remind you that I found my long lost brother, that I thought died along with my mother who was a filly. And teach you about friendship, but you're so terrified ponies will find out what you did that you can't make any friends!" she screamed out as tears were pouring out of her eyes as she tried to wipe them away and bit her lip.

Sunburst was just staring at Starlight with his jaw hanging out and his glasses slid down his face. "Did you really travel through time?" Sunburst said after a bit of silence silence.

Spike reappeared beside Starlight. "See? I told you he'd be impressed," Spike remarked smugly while Starlight blushed in embarrassment.

Sunburst got out of their chairs. "I'm sorry we lost touch," He said, "Maybe if I had reached out, you could have helped me out in magic school, and I could've helped you to..."

"...not become totally evil?" Starlight said bashfully as Sunburst smiled back. Starlight sighed, "Let's just say I know what it's like to have something you're not exactly proud of."

"Starlight, when you showed up thinking I was some big wizard...I'm sorry," Sunburst said, "I should've told you the truth."

"It's fine," Starlight assured, "At least we worked it all out. I think Twilight and Midnight would be proud of us." She said with a smile.

"Well, if you ever want to tell them about it, we should probably leave now!" Spike remarked as he pointed to a window outside.

Starlight gasped in realization."I forgot to tell you!" Starlight said to Sunburst, "They're evacuating the city!"

She began to push the orange stallion forward as Spike nervously followed behind the mare.
"You need to get to the train station," Starlight instructed, "unless you've got a spell here that will drive back the Frozen North and fix the Crystal Heart so the baby can have her Crystalling?" Something then clicked into Sunburst's mind.

"The Crystalling...!" said Sunburst before he rushed back to his books, "Of course!" He quickly grabbed five books at once with his magic and started to search through the pages.

Starlight then smiled, seeing her old friend had a plan.

Back outside, the situation was growing worse by the minute. Celestia and Luna were starting to get coated in ice as they continued to try and fight the stormy weather.

"Push them back, my sister!" Celestia instructed her sister to up their power more as they find themselves covered by dark clouds seeing that this is now a losing battle as the many ponies are making their way to the train station.

"This way!" Shining Armor shouted as he led the charge to the train station.

Suddenly one crystal pony slipped on the ice and crashed into a bank of snow. Fluttershy helped the crystal pony to her hooves and they went to catch up with the group. Storm and Rainbow flew around to take out the clouds, but they were getting ice and snow in their wings, forcing them to go to ground level as they ran with the others.

Blaze was by Sunset as he used his powers to heat up the temperature around them, which he strained a bit as he try to fight the cold. “Blaze, save your strength! You can’t beat a cold storm!” Sunset cried out.

"Just a little bit further, y'all!" Applejack said, "The station's just ahead!"

It was then the group saw Sunburst, with saddlebags on his back, along with Starlight and Spike.

The group stopped moving just as Celestia and Luna had arrived to join the charging crowd.

"We have to go back!" Starlight shouted.

"I know how to stop this!" Sunburst told the crowd. Luna looked rather uncertain as she glanced at Celestia, who had a knowing look on her face and smiled.

Back at the area where the shattered remains of the Crystal Heart were, Cadance was just pacing back and forth as Twilight continued to write. Midnight decided to look after the baby as he held her close as she gave him a curious look, “Don’t worry kid. You’re Auntie’s got this,” Midnight assured as he looked to Twilight.

"Uh, I think that's everything?" Twilight said, her tone not even that confident as Cadance walked up and looked the spell over.

"It looks right to me," Cadance said, looking at the spell, "but...there's only one way to find out!"

Twilight then fired her magic at the shards. The shards then floated into the air, making a heart shape. Cadance then fired her magic at the floating shards to rebuild the Crystal Heart back together and it was restored. But two seconds later, the Crystal Heart then fell apart again, the shattered piece tinkling on the floor.

"The spell failed," Twilight said hopelessly.

“But why?” Midnight wondered.

"An old student of mine believes he has the solution," said Celestia as she, Luna, Sunburst, Spike, Shining Armor, and the others came in to them.

Sunburst walked up and examined the shattered remains of the Crystal Heart.

"The baby did this?!" Sunburst remarked, still having a hard time trying to believe it.

“Yeah, go figure.” Midnight shrugged.

"I tried putting it back together with—" Twilight explained as she held up the book with her magic only for Sunburst to pull it with his magic and toss the book aside as he interrupted her.

"The spell of Relic Reconstitution. No, that won't do it." He said as he pulled out a book from his saddlebag. "The Crystal Heart's been around for millennia. Restoring a relic like this is way beyond one spell." He explained as he flipped through the pages to show Twilight the specific page he stopped at. "You need to combine it with something else. Something unique to the relic itself. Something that strengthens it and provides it with power...?" He told the alicorn as he grabs the book with her magic as she reads it and then gets an idea.

"The Crystalling!" Twilight exclaimed what they needed to do to stop the blizzard.

"Combining that spell with the light and love of everypony," said Sunburst as he gave Starlight a book, "together with Somnambula's Weather Abjuration to clear away the snow..." He then handed a scroll to Cadance and Shining Armor, whom the former was now holding the baby, "and a little Fledgling's Forbearance for the parents. That should curb the little one's power fluctuations." He gave the baby a little tickle as the baby giggled happily in reply.

“Okay, I can see why Starlight calls you a big Important Wizard.” Midnight said, feeling impressed by Sunburst’s knowledge.

"Oh, I'm not a wizard," said Sunburst plainly. Everypony except for Celestia, Starlight, Spike, and Rainbow gasped.

"What?" Rainbow exclaimed as Starlight and Spike winced and looked at each other.”

“You’re not a what?!” Sunset exclaimed with a look. “But you went to the same school as me and Twilight!”

“Maybe he’s not a wizard but he studied magic his whole life!" Starlight said, "You should see his house! And since nopony else has any better ideas, what do we have to lose?!”

“She does have a valid point.” Hydro said with a shrug.

Shining Armor and Cadance exchanged looks and then gave each other a nod. Shining Armor then held the baby with his magic and walked up to Sunburst.

"I had planned on asking Twilight to be our Crystaller,"Shining Armor said, "But since it seems like she'll be busy..." He then handed the baby to Sunburst.

"I'd be honored!" said Sunburst as the baby giggled happily as the baby played with Sunburst’s glasses.

Suddenly the Blizzard got stronger, “Um, ponies! We might wanna hurry!” Midnight stated.

"Well, what are we waiting for?!" Twilight called out. Everypony minus Starlight, Midnight, Twilight, Luna, and Celestia rushed out of the curtain.

Twilight then fired her magic to bring the shards back together into a heart. But she was already straining as she struggled to keep it together. Midnight, Celestia and Luna then fired their own magic blasts to help Twilight, but even with four alicorns, they were all struggling to keep the shards together.

Starlight then added her own magic into the mix but even with her it was just barely able to keep the heart together

Outside, Sunburst went to start the Crystalling. The baby just laughed as Cadance and Shining Armor kissed her cheeks and then tapped their horns against the baby's. The baby's body then glowed brightly as she hovered into the air. Rarity then held the case of purity shards and Sunburst grabbed one.

"Citizens!" Sunburst announced proudly, "May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!" The baby then opened her wings and glowed brighter than ever. The crowd began to cheer.

"She's beautiful," Mustafa Combe said.

"Oh! It's just so moving!" Scouts Honor saidas he got teary eyed at the sight.

The crystal ponies began to bow down, making the ground beneath them to start glowing. Sunburst then tapped the purity shard against the ground, absorbing all the love and hope into it. He then rushed inside of the curtain.

Then Sunburst jumped into the air and went to jam the purity shard into the air. As the shard was directly above the Crystal Heart, a bright light flashed in the room giving every pony crystallized coats of fur and manes.

Twilight, Midnight, Starlight, and Sunburst found their manes all fancied up in a formal and fancy styles and then the rest of the ponies standing at the stage as the burst put an end to the never-ending winter storm as everypony cheered that the day had been saved again.

“Whoa,” Midnight said in surprise while looking at himself.

“The Crystal Empire has the power to give other Ponies crystal appearances,” Twilight explained as she smiled with a blush, “You’re looking pretty sharp,”

“Heh, you look pretty, lovely yourself,” Midnight said with a grin, which made Twilight giggled at the compliment.

The crowds and the rest of the heroes cheered. The baby then floated down to her parents, who both nuzzled her lovingly.

"Best Crystalling ever!" Tough Nut said as the surrounding ponies nodded in agreement as the heroes return back stage while Starlight and Sunburst watched.

"For a pony who isn't great at magic," Starlight said to Sunburst, "you did pretty well." She added with a smile.

"Indeed,"Celestia said as she walked up to the two ponies, "I'm glad you've found a way to share your unique gift, Sunburst. You may be more of a wizard than you think." Sunburst and Starlight just smiled at each other.

Later, everyone gathered at the Train station, to leave, “And to think all this madness happened because of this peaceful little angel,” Velvet cooed, tickling the baby.

“She is a troublesome and cute filly.” Night Shine said with a smile.

"Awww, so sweet! Come meet your grandmare!" Velvet cooed as the baby just giggled happily.

"Yeah, peaceful now, anyway," Applejack said discreetly to everypony minus Starlight.

“You can say that again.” Rocky added.

"I suppose that spell really did the trick!" Twilight said with a smile when suddenly, the baby started to inhale as if she was gonna sneeze again.

“Nonononono! Not again!” Midnight said in panic.

“Hit the deck!” Volt cried out as he and the others screamed as they duck for cover.

The baby just gave a normal sneeze. No massive magic blasts whatsoever. The heroes came out of hiding and sighed in relief .

Shining Armor and Cadance flinched but were relieved to see there was no more overpowered magic. “We have Sunburst to thank for that." Shining said to them with a smile.

"I hope he takes his role as Crystaller seriously," Cadance said, "Something tells me the baby will need a pony like him to look for magical advice."

“Cadance dear, aren’t we going to name the poor little dear or we going to spend the rest of her life calling her ‘the baby’?” Velvet asked, magically levitating her granddaughter to her.

“Come to think of it, you never did tell us what her name is.” Blaze realized.

Cadance and Shining Armor smiled at each other. "We were thinking..."Flurry Heart"," Cadance answered.

"You know, to remember the occasion," said Shining Armor as he looked at the heroes.

“Why, a wonderful name.” Hydro said with a smile.

“And I don’t think anyopony is gonna forget today for a long time,” Sunset said with a grin.

“I think it's lovely," said Twilight as she kissed Flurry Heart, making the baby giggle happily.

The two families joined their family and friends on the train. Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst had one last time for chat and moment before they departed.

"Well, I think you're the Crystal Empire's big important wizard," Starlight Glimmer commented, "whether you like it or not."

Sunburst blushed, "I don't know if I'll have time for any wizarding. I'm a crystaller now. That's a big responsibility."

"I can't think of anypony more qualified. Just... promise you'll stay in touch?

"Hm, like I'd ever lose touch with my oldest friend."

Both Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst gave each other a passionate hug before they departed. Twilight Sparkle saw everything from the train's window, and she even gave disappointed and guilty looks. Spike and Midnight notice it.

"What's wrong, Twilight?" Spike asked.

"What's on your mind, Twi?” Midnight asked next.

"I don't know," Twilight Sparkle said in concern, "I think I have a lot to learn about being a teacher."

“What are you talking about?” Spike asked. “Your lesson went perfectly. Starlight and Sunburst got over their past and rekindle their friendship.” He said with a smile.

"No thanks to me," Twilight said, "I know a lot happened. I just wish I could've given my pupil the attention she deserves."

It was then Starlight entered the train coach. Starlight took a seat across from Fluttershy and Arbor.

"Well, I know she needed to be put on the right path," Spike admitted calmly as he smiled, "But giving her the space to make her own decisions worked pretty well. Isn't that how Celestia taught you?”

"You know, I never thought about it!" Twilight said with a smile, "But I guess it is!"

"Maybe you're a better teacher than you thought," Spike said with a smile. “And not the only one.”

Twilight turned to Midnight who gave her a wink and pulled her into a wing hug which she returned before they looked back and exchanged a smile with Starlight. It was then the train pulled away from the station so the heroes could finally head for home. Though as they rode away, a black figure was seen flying towards the Empire.

“Ngh… I hate to be doing this. But… Ugh… Maybe the love that is protecting the empire should be enough to sustain me.” The Changeling said with a painful look as green silvia was dripping from his fanged maw while he hissed out with a serpentine-like tongue as he landed outside the borders. “Keep it together, Thorax. Maybe it will work. Just try and disguise yourself so the ponies don’t freak.” He said as he then suddenly changed into a crystal stallion as he then quickly entered the kingdom, blending in with the crowd as he walked among the ponies.

Author's Note

Here it is, the Next Chapter of Age of the Alicorns.

Again sorry for the wait. But it's here now.

As you can see, I decided to add Night Light and Velvet earlier on in this chapter, so that they could meet Midnight. Also, did any of you noticed that Celestia's notion on the birth of an Alicorn was different? this idea will be explored further down the line.

Also, a bit of Starburst shipping in this and Midnight pretty much dialing back on Twilight overly preparedness for his little sister.

Next Time, we take this story into an Original Chapter featuring our Favorite Trio of Troublemakers, though I will let you know ahead of time, in this version they have not yet achieved their destiny as I wish to do some of my favorite episodes from Season 5 in this Story, and...When they do achieve it, they won't be the only ones.

Post in the Comments on you think this means.

Don't forget to Like, Comment, and Follow me on Fimfiction.

stay cool, stay friends and I'll see you on the website.

Until then NNNNIIIINNNJJJJJAAA-GO!!!

Just Foaling Around

Out in the Everfree forest, in a small cave there was a large prism and inside it was a small filly with a purple coat with hot/light pink mixed mane, her eyes were closed like she was asleep. Suddenly her prism started cracking as light leaked out from the cracks.

Then in an instant, the prism exploded and the filly fell to the ground, “Oomph,” She grunted as she opened her eyes, revealing they were bright blue and looked around, “H-Hello?” She called nervously, walking out from the cave and into the forest. “W-Where is evericorn?” She asked fearfully.

The filly wandered further into the forest as the beams of light shone on her sparkling purple wings…and her little horn.

In Ponyville, Twilight and Midnight were walking down the streets towards Sugarcube Corner, “So Pinkie’s actually taken in a protege?” Midnight asked in surprise.

“Yeah. I'm even a bit surprised that she has.” Twilight said with a small smile. “Usually, she either calls me and the other girls to help her out with her cooking. But never take a protege under her hoof.”

“I never really took Pinkie for the teaching type,” Midnight admitted. “I never even imagined Volt as a teaching type.”

“Can’t imagine why,” Twilight said while rolling her eyes as the two chuckled, knowing their friends were more into fun than facts.

Eventually they reached Sugarcube Corner and walked in, “Alright, now let’s see how the Pinkie Protege is-” Midnight started before Twilight looked ahead and eyes widened in surprise.

“Cake!” Twilight yelled and ducked down.

“What?” Midnight said before he got caked in the face. The cake slid off, leaving frosting and strawberry in his face as Twilight looked up and stifled her laughter. “Not a word.” He said tiredly.

And then a spring green earth pony filly with a pink and white twirled mane came up to them, “Oops. Sorry Sir. That cake got away from me again,” She apologized.

“Well, he sure took the cake,” Twilight quipped with a giggle.

“I said not to say it.” Midnight said with a smirk before he licked some cake off him. “Mm, but tasty.”

Pinkie then walked in, “Oh, Minty, Minty, Minty. I told you, before you can throw a cake, you have to carry it.” She told the filly.

“Sorry Pinkie,” Minty said with an embarrassed smile.

“I take it this is the filly you took under your foreleg, Pinkie?” Twilight asked with a small smile.

“Yep. This is Minty.” Pinkie said with a cheerful smile. “Me and her parents are good friends, and she always wanted to bake some sweet goods! So, I took her in as my tasty treat protege and I’ve been teaching her all my Pinkie Party and Cake secrets!”

“And it involves her throwing a cake?” Midnight asked as he wiped some of the frosting off his face.

“If you wanna bake, why not do it in a fun way?” Pinkie asked with a smile and a shrug.

“Which really is.” Minty said with a smile.

“Well, that is impressive, Pinkie. Taking responsibility to teach a filly, that’s really mature of you.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Hey, like I told you before, I’m a very responsible mare,” Pinkie said puffing her chest proudly, “Nothing gets by me,”

“Ooh, is that a triple strawberry milkshake?” Midnight asked, pointing behind her.

“Where?!” Pinkie said as she turned with a smile, which made Midnight give a small laugh as Pinkie kept looking. “Where, Midnight, I don’t see it.”

“Oh, you just missed it. It went into the kitchen.” Midnight lied with a smirk.

“Oooh! I gotcha now, you sweet beverage!” Pinkie said as she trotted into the kitchen while Midnight kept his laugh while Twilight giggled.

“You got her, Midnight.” Twilight said in amusement.

“Even I wouldn’t fall for that.” Minty said with an amusing smile.

“Well Minty, what do you think of Pinkie?” Twilight asked the filly.

“She’s the best! She’s super fun, creative and really nice!” Minty said, doing a little prance, “She’s like the big sister I never had.” She said, which made the two alicorns smile.

“Well, that’s good to hear.” Midnight said with a smile as Twilight leaned down.

“But watch out, because Pinkie tends to be unpredictable when she does things.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Minty, come on! We got to work on your Cupcake settings!” Pinkie called from the kitchen.

“Coming!” Minty called as galloped into the kitchen.

“Well, that was something.” Midnight said with a chuckle. “Let’s leave the two of them be before any other sweets come flying by.”

“Good idea,” Twilight agreed as they two left Sugarcube Corner.

Down the path, Rarity, Hydro, and Sweetie Belle were walking towards Fluttershy’s cottage, “We just need to get Opal from Fluttershy and then we can head down to join your friends, Sweetie,” Rarity promised her sister.

“I hope so, we just got new ideas for cutie marks,” Sweetie Belle said with a smile as she saw her flank. “I still can’t believe me, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom still don’t have our marks,” She complained.

“Oh, be patient, darling. You’ll find yours.” Rarity encourages. “I was patient.”

“You found your quicker when you found a bunch of jewels in a boulder in one day, Rarity.” Sweetie said with a dull look.

“She got a point.” Hydro said with a chuckle.

“Oh, come now.” Rarity waved off. “Anypony can find gems. Unless you know where to look.” She said as they made it to Fluttershy’s cottage. “Now, let’s get Opal so you can have time with your friends.” She said as she knocked on the door a couple of times.

Then opening the door, was a white pegasus filly with a yellow, purple and green striped mane with a blue hair tie and golden eyes, “Oh hello.” The filly said with a kind smile.

“Uh, hello there.” Rarity said in surprise, as she, Hydro and her sister didn't expect a filly to be in Fluttershy’s home. “Uh, is Fluttershy here? We have come for our cat.”

“Oh, give me a second.” The filly said as she went back into the cottage. “Fluttershy, your friends are here to see you.”

“Oh right,” Fluttershy’s voice was heard, as she came in with Opal in her foreleg, “Sorry for taking so long, Arbor was just helping plant new medicinal trees for me,” She told them.

“Oh, no harm done, old girl.” Hydro assured her before looking down to the filly, “But dare I ask, who’s this?”

“Oh, this. This is Coconut Cream.” Fluttershy said as Coconut waved her hoof.

“Hello.” Coconut said with a smile.

“She’s been coming by to help out with my animals before we met the boys and faced the Nightmare,” Fluttershy explained as she placed a hoof around Coconut, “She’s been such a nice little helper.”

“Oooh, well, that’s great to hear.” Rarity said in surprised and a smile.

“Indeed.” Hydro said with a smile.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sweetie said, offering her hoof to Coconut.

“You too.” Coconut said with a small smile as she and Sweetie shook hooves. “You must be Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s sister that Miss Fluttershy told me about.”

“Uh-huh,” Sweetie nodded before she noticed Coconut Cream had a blank flank, “Hey, you don’t have a cutie mark either.”

“No. I haven’t earned one yet. Still haven’t found my talent, but I will someday.” Coconut said with a smile. “But it’s nice to know there are others out there without a mark. Because I feel a little bit out of place.”

“Well I have two friends who don't have marks either.” Sweetie said with a smile. “I should introduce you to them.”

“Really, I have one too, her name is Toola Roola,” Coconut said with a smile. “She’ll be glad to hear there are others without marks.”

“There are, and we even make a group out of it.” Sweetie said with a smile. “Even have a treehouse for it.”

“Really?” Coconut said with a bright smile.

As the two fillies conversed, the three grown-up ponies watched with smiles, “Well, they seem to be hitting it off,” Hydro said with a smile.

“Yes, indeed.” Rarity said as Fluttershy gave her Opal. “Oh, Opal, how was your day with Fluttershy?” She asked as Opal just gave her a blank stare. “I’ll take that as a lovely day.”

“She had a great time. Even with Coconut.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“That’s great to hear.” Rarity said as she turned to her sister. “Come along, Sweetie. I must take you to your friends before we return home.”

“Okay, Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at Coconut. “Catch you later?”

“Yeah,” Coconut said solemnly.

“Actually, I think I can manage here on my own now,” Fluttershy told her, “Go with Sweetie Belle, Coconut. I know that you will have a great time with her and her friends.”

“Really?” Coconut asked in excitement as Fluttershy nodded with an encouraging smile, which made Coconut squeal in joy as she jumped next to Sweetie Belle. “Thank you, Miss Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy giggled with a smile, “Well, we’ll be off then.” She said as they nodded as the four ponies walked off as Fluttershy watched them go. “Have fun, Coconut.” She said as she went back into her home.

Out in the town square, Sunset was standing next to a pale pink unicorn filly with a red, yellow, pink, indigo and blue mane and teal eyes. The two of them were painting the town hall together. “Wow, Sunset, you’re the best artist I’ve ever seen.” The filly said with a smile.

“Oh, I’ve been doing art when I was your age, Toola.” Sunset said with a smirk. “I even did a bit of street art from time to time. Don’t tell anypony, I still do and try to keep it a secret, even from my friends.”

“Oooh, now that’s amazing.” Toola said with a smile.

“Yep. And I sometimes did it to impress ponies and sometimes I just like to express myself.” Sunset said with a smirk. “Though, you’re not so bad with art yourself.”

“Well, I don’t know,” Toola said unsurely, as her painting of the town hall came out more abstract than Sunset’s, “I wanted it to look exactly the same but it just came out silly.”

Sunset chuckled, “Toola Roola, art isn’t about following rules, it's about showing others how you feel or how you see the world,” She explained as she looked at the picture, “And I have to say, that’s pretty expressive.”

“Thanks.” Toola said with a smile. “It was a bit hard, but it’s pretty fun.”

“Keep up the good work,” Sunset told her, ruffling her mane.

“GANGWAY!” The two perked up and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Coconut cream riding on a wooden makeshift plane towards them.

“Whoa!?” Sunset said in surprise, before grabbing Toola and jumping out of the way as the plane rolled past them before crashing into a tree.

The two saw the CMC groaning while on the tree as Coconut turned to them. “Do you ponies do this all the time just to find a mark?” She asked in wonder while rubbing her head.

“You have no idea.” Sweetie Belle groaned. “And that is only when Scootaloo comes up with extreme ideas.”

“I thought piloting would definitely be it this time.” Scootaloo said in defense.

“Well it sure shootin’ didn’t,” Applebloom retorted.

“Hey, girls,” Sunset said, walking up the four, “Still up to more mischief I see.”

“Just trying to find our Cutie Marks, Sunset.” Scootaloo said with a smile.

“Hey Coconut Cream,” Toola waved to the fourth filly.

“Hi, Toola Roola.” Coconut said with a wave and smile.

“That’s your friend, Coconut?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Uh huh, girls this Toola Roola,” Coconut introduced with a hoof around Toola, “Toola Roola, this is Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo.” She introduced.

“Hello/Hey/Howdy!” The CMCs waved with smiles.

“Uh, hi.” Toola said with a smile before she noticed their flanks. “No Cutie Marks? Huh, I thought me and Coconut were the only ones.”

“We thought we were the only ones too,” Scootaloo told her.

“Until we met, and then met Coconut and now you.” Apple Bloom said with a smile. “Nice to meet ya. And if you’re a blank flank, we can understand since we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders, looking to find our Cutie Marks and our purpose.”

“Really?” Toola asked with a surprise look. “Wow, that’s an interesting group. And it must be fun. But there is a bit of danger from what I can tell.” She added as she saw the crashed plane.

“Don’t worry, that’s just one, we got plenty of ideas,” Applebloom told her, “Hey, how ‘bout jam making?” She suggested.

“That’s your family style of jam, Apple Bloom.” Sweetie Belle reminded her with a brow. “Great for exercise and good jam, not much for a Cutie Mark receiver.”

“Yeah but what if we tried making a new kind of jam?” Applebloom suggested.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle gave brows to her. “AB, same results.” Scootaloo said to her.

“Good point.” Applebloom said in defeat.

“Maybe we should go back to our clubhouse to see what we haven’t done yet,” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“I second that.” Scootaloo said.

“I third that.” Applebloom added.

“Fourth.” Coconut said.

“Fifth.” The fillies perked up and saw Minty standing next to them, “Hi!” Minty smiled.

“Minty?” Toola asked in surprise.

“You know her?” Scootaloo asked in surprise as they looked at Toola.

“She’s another friend of ours,” Coconut explained.

“Yep. And Pinkie told me to have some time off and have fun!” Minty said with a smile. “And I just saw Coconut with you three flying by and thought I saw you and hung out with you ponies.”

“Well, you’re welcome to join, Minty,” Toola said with a smile. “We’re heading to their clubhouse.”

“Race ya there!” Scootaloo told them as the six fillies raced off while Sunset watched with a smile.

“Heh, as wild as their human counterparts,” Sunset commented with an amusing look, since she knew the human counterparts of the CMC are similar.

Then Blaze flew in, “Hey Sunset, Twilight and Midnight just called,” He explained, “Meeting in the castle.”

“Okay, on my way.” Sunset said as Blaze flew off as Sunset trotted after him.

In the Everfree Forest, the Alicorn Filly continue to tread through the forest a bit in fear. “A-At least it’s daylight where I can see.” She said a bit nervously as she looked around. “How did I even get here? Why am I here?” She asked as she tried to remember but all her memories were fuzzy. “I-I can’t remember. H-How long have I--” SHe trailed off before she made her way out of the forest and saw Ponyville in the distance.

“A town?” The filly said before smiling, “Maybe somebody there can help me,” She suggested to herself as she spread her wings and flew off.

The filly then flew over the crowd as she then landed close to town hall as she looked around and saw a bunch of ponies going about their day, “Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns. But where are all the Alicorns?” She asked as she looked around and saw no sign of Alicorns. “Shouldn’t there be Alicorns around?” She asked as she then noticed some ponies looking at her in a bit of wonder, which made her uncomfortable. “Uh, I better get going.” She said as she quickly trotted off while avoiding eye contact with the crowd.

As she kept walking, the filly decided to distract herself with a bit of singing.

I've never seen a place
That's quite like this
Everything is turned around
This crazy world is upside-down

As she sang, the filly looked around Ponyville, watching as all the ponies walking around, getting a little nervous by all the unfamiliar things. As she saw Big Mach walking by with an applecart and moved out of the way.

Getting on my hooves
It's the hoof that I was dealt
But I don't have much time with them
Got to learn all that I can

She then gave a determined look and began to observe her surroundings, picking up every little thing she saw, the pastries at Sugar Cube Corner, the Town Hall. She looked into the school house and saw Ms. Cheerilee was teaching as she saw some rich ponies walking by while the mare spritzed herself with perfume.

They don't seem Alicorns, with horns and wings
I don't get why some wear funny clothes, rolling things and smelly water to the nose
Everything's confusing when it seems so new
But I look a little closer and it starts to feel familiar too

The filly then saw fillies and colt playing tag and she was tempted to join them but was too unsure. As she continued searching the town, hoping to find any alicorns like her but found none.

What a strange new world (what a strange new world)
I'm trying to make heads or tails of this strange new world (what a strange new world)
Sorting through the small details of this strange new world

The filly stood at townhall, watching the colts and fillies playing as she gave a sad look. “I-I want to play, but, from there being no Alicorns, I guess they might be mean.” She said with a sad look. “Just where am I?”

“Pfft. What is this?” A rude voice spoke up as the filly turned and saw Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon looking at her. “Seriously, that is so fake.”

“What?” the filly said confusedly.

“Yeah, where did you get those wings or horn? The 99 cent store?” Silver Spoon questioned.

“Ahaha, good one, Silver Spoon.” Diamond Tiara said with a smirk.

“Can’t you even tell the real wings or horn when you see them?” The filly questioned while gesturing to herself.

“Oh, please, blank flank. You have totally fake props.” Diamond Tiara said as she pulled the Alicorn filly’s wings, which made her yelp.

“Ow! Hey!” The filly yelped as she yanked her wing away and caressed it. “My wings are real wings!”

“Oh. Uh, okay, so you might be a pegasi.” Silver Spoon said with a sheepish look.

“I bet this horn isn’t real. Probably some silly headband.” Diamond Tiara said as she did a hard flick at the filly’s horn, which made her yelped.

“Cut it out!” The filly yelled as on reflex, magic shot out from her horn, which spooked Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon back as they looked at the filly in shock as she realized what she did. “I-I-I’m sorry. R-Reflexes.”

“Y-You can use magic?!” Silver Spoon asked in complete shock. “I-I thought there were only six A-Alicorns…”

“Wait, there are still Alicorns?” The filly asked with a hopeful look.

“You don’t even know?” Diamond Tiara questioned with a brown before she gasped. “You must be a changeling!”

“A-A w-what?” The filly asked with a confusion and uneasy look while backing away in worry.

“Oh, don’t play dumb! If you’re trying to trick us, at least pick a better disguise than an Alicorn!” Diamond Tiara said with a disgusted look.

“T-This is not a disguise!” The filly said as everypony gathered around as they noticed what Diamond Tiara said as they gave a suspicious look. “Uh, I, uh, can I just…”

“Get that changeling!” Diamond Tiara yelled out as the filly yelped.

“Uh, bye-bye!” The filly said as she used a small magic blast, which knocked some ponies back a bit before she took to the air as the ponies all yelled in anger and chased after her. “Not how I wanted this day to go!” She cried out as she flew around Ponyville with the ponies chasing her.

At the Castle of Friendship, the Heroic 14 and Spike are gathered around the Map of Friendship while the Seven Swords just stand there since there were no extra thrones for them. “So what’s this about you two,” Applejack asked Midnight and Twilight.

“It wasn’t me, just Midnight.” Twilight explained. “It’s about Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

“Oh dear, what trouble have they gotten into this time?” Rarity asked tiredly.

“No trouble this time.” Midnight said with a dull look. “Why do you always think they’ve gotten into trouble?”

“Well, you haven’t noticed, since you were around, but whenever those three fillies get around trying to find their Cutie Marks, things always happen around here.” Applejack said with a tired look.

“But you have to admit, I like their enthusiasm.” Rainbow said with a smile. “They never give up.”

“Yes, when they're not causing trouble.” Rarity said before Storm spoke up.

“Okay, okay. We get it, they’re a trio of troublemakers.” Storm said before turning back to Midnight and Twilight. “So, why do you want to talk about them anyway?”

“I was gonna ask where they get all these crazy ideas from?” Midnight questions.

“Yeah, I wonder the same thing.” Sunset said while rubbing her chin. “I mean, earlier, they tried piloting, which ended up with them crashing into a tree. Ouch.”

“They’re willing to do anything to get their marks,” Rainbow commented. “I mean, since they met, they’re trying more options to get their Cutie Marks. I remember they tried out ziplining, which didn’t work out well.”

“And that eventually led to us all finding out we got our cutie marks together!” Pinkie Pie said with a cheerful look.

“That’s a weird coincidence,” Blaze said with a brow. “But Midnight, I still don’t get why you’re making a big deal out of them. So, they’re trying every option to find their marks, big deal. At least they got spirit.”

“I mean, well, two things, alright, one, is that their ideas are a bit dangerous and extreme for fillies their age.” Midnight pointed out. “I mean seriously, who even allows them to do those things?”

“And the uh, the second one?” Spike asked with a brow.

“Well, I know that they are not being well respected by some ponies these days.” Midnight said with a frown.

“What makes you say that?” Volt asked in confusion.

“I mean, you girls are the Elements of Harmony, and two of them are your related siblings?” Midnight asked as the Mane 7 nodded in agreement. “Yet, from what I’ve seen whenever I see them, they get the cold shoulder and are disrespected by certain ponies. And discouraged at times.”

“What? Impossible.” Hydro said with a frown.

“Yeah, who could hate those three tykes?” Blaze questioned, knowing even though the CMC were a hoof-ful they were very loveable.

“Not what Twilight told me.” Midnight said with a frown as he looked at the girls. “Does Gabby Gums ring a bell with you girls?”

The girls all cringed from that. “W-Well, they got themselves into it.” Rainbow said with a cringed look.

“Really?” Midnight questioned with a look. “Shut them out, yell at them, being rude, dousing rain over their heads, drowning yourself in tears, turning your backs on them?” He questioned before turning to Twilight, “Putting up a forcefield around your own house?” He added with a look.

The girls and Twilight gave sheepish looks. “Okay, we may have gone a little overboard.” Twilight said in embarrassment.

“And you know, I also remember Applejack being so overprotective of Applebloom, she couldn’t allow her to be home alone, even when she was doing a great job.” Rocky said with a look.

“I-I thought she needed me.” Applejack said in embarrassment.

“She was doing gosh darn fine before you suddenly slammed in.” Clay said with a brow as Rainbow chuckled.

“She got your number, Applejack.” Rainbow said with a chuckle.

“And for a certain fashionist, I happen to notice that you barely even give at least appreciation or notice your sister around, let alone give her a chance,” Hydro said, looking at Rarity, who gave a flinch.

“Though, uh, I guess I was too caught up in work to even give my sister some time together.” Rarity said with a sheepish look.

“Rarity, you couldn’t even appreciate your sister even when she did a great job doing things for you, yet you overreacted when they were in the simplest wrong order in your standard.” Blaze said with a brow, which made Rarity cringed.

“T-They were in the wrong order!” Rarity overreacted as she noticed her friends giving her weird looks, which made her blushed in embarrassment. “I-I guess I do tend to lose it a tad.”

“A tad?” Rainbow questioned with a brow. “Rarity, you make a big deal out of a simple rip.”

“I-I… Uh… I mean…” Rarity stammered as she lowered herself in shame.

“And don’t act like you’re not free, Rainbow.” Midnight said with a look. “I mean, compared to these girls, you may have been a sister figure to Scootaloo…”

“Thank you.” Rainbow said with a proud smile.

“But telling her scary stories, making her reckless stunt ideas, which she clearly got from you, and not being that supportive to her is not right.” Midnight continued, much to Rainbow’s disbelief.

“Aw come on!” Rainbow complained.

“Rainbow, you might be good at being a sister type, but not knowing much on Scootaloo isn’t the way to go. Especially since you dump a rainstorm worth on them during the Gabby Gums incident.” Midnight pointed out.

“That was… I mean…” Rainbow stammered as she tried to find the words before she groaned in defeat. “I guess I was too much in temper at the time.”

“Whew, those three had it rough,” Rocky whistled, with a foreleg overlapping the other.

“More so than other foals.” Arbor said with a concern frown as he turned to the girls. “And yet you mares couldn’t even be supportive to them one bit?”

“W-We were busy with other things at the time.” Twilight said with a sheepish look.

“You mean your own businesses like reading, apple selling, practicing, selling, baking cakes, and taking care of animals?” Volt questioned with a brow, which made the girls flinch back.

“You know, they make a point.” Spike said with a brow.

“Says the dragon who slammed the door on them after the Gabby Gums thing.” Blaze said with a look, which made Spike flinch from that reminder. “Seriously, you didn’t need to do that.” He said with a look as Spike tapped his claws sheepishly.

“Wait, Spike did what?!” Twilight asked in shock as she turned to her dragon. “I know I placed a force field around the old library to keep them out, but do you have to slam the door right into their face, Spike?!”

“I guess I was pretty angry at the time, and I kinda did slam it too hard.” Spike said with a sheepish look.

“Oh for the love of…” Midnight muttered as he looked around. “It’s no wonder those three fillies are doing so much on their own and being so disrespected, you girls didn’t even give them the support they needed.”

“W-We have.” Applejack insisted. “I-I mean, we were there for them.”

“Name one time,” Midnight challenged.

“Eh… that time when Applebloom and I…” Applejack thought. “There was that time when… no. Uh… maybe the…” She stammered with a concern frown. “Uh, Rarity, Rainbow, help me out?”

“Uh… we have that sister camping trip.” Rainbow said with a smile.

“Yeah, with part of it with Sweetie Belle was forced to carry Rarity’s overpack suitcases twice, that nearly strain her back.” Blaze said with a look at the fashion, who gave a sheepish look. “And the rest, well, you have a fun time, but other than Rarity’s suitcases, name another.”

The three tried to think of something but nothing came out when they realized the detail as their eyes widened. “O-Oh my…” Rarity muttered.

“Why gosh darn it. I can’t believe we didn’t realize it sooner.” Applejack said with a frown.

“Oh, man! How are we so stupid?!” Rainbow complained as she planted her face onto the map.

“Well, better late than never,” Storm said, patting her shoulder.

“Okay, you girls really don’t give your sisters much credit.” Blaze commented. “And I thought you girls would be better than they are.” He said to the rest of the mares. “I mean, normally, I expected Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack, Sunset and Twilight, but Pinkie and Fluttershy, you two as well? I thought you girls were the sentimental ones.”

“Actually, come to think of it, did the girls even come to you Pinkie?” Volt asked.

Pinkie thought for a moment. “Actually, I don’t think so.” She said while rubbing her mane. “I mean, I was out in the forest collecting berries for my pity ice cream, but when I got back, Mr. and Mrs. Cakes told them they were here but just shoo them away.”

“Twilight, you knew that Gabby Gums was doing something wrong but didn’t do anything to stop it, why?” Midnight asked his marefriend with a look.

“I-I wasn’t authorized!” Twilight said in defense. “I mean, I was just a Unicorn at the time and well, you can guess why.”

“You could have told your concerns Cheerilee about this and she could have looked into it,” Midnight pointed out, “Even the smallest action can have an effective impact,”

“Did I mention Celestia got on Gabby Gums as well but did nothing?” Pinkie asked, which shocked the boys.

“What?!” They all exclaimed in shock.

“Even the most high and mighty ruler of Equestria did nothing for that?!” Storm questioned.

“Oh, now I wish I was there to see it.” Sunset said with a snicker.

“Then again, who doesn’t love cake?” Rainbow shrugged.

“Good point,” Arbor nodded.

Midnight grumbled. “Plagues and Vexs. I’ll have to have a word with her about that later.” He muttered.

“But you’re right, I should’ve told Ms. Cheerilee about what Gabby Gums.” Twilight said with a frown.

“And if I had to guess, that secret of the identities of the Gabby Gums wasn’t known until Rarity realized it was Sweetie Belle.” Midnight guessed. “Because if I had to guess, after she got exposed, she decided to do the same to her own sister?” He added while giving a glare at Rarity.

Rarity flinched from that. “Okay, I may have gotten out of line there.” She said in shame.

“Okay, girls, while I may have Starlight for that matter, but we hardly have any memories before were separated and look how that turns out for both of us.” Midnight started off with a frown while the group gave sympathetics looks. “But, if you ponies keep trying to do this to the CMC, you’re just gonna push them away and discourage them.”

The Mane 7 and Spike all looked at each other in guilt as they realized how they were treating the CMC from time to time and they never realized it. “Oh, man. We really were idiots.” Rainbow groaned while rubbing her head.

“I can’t believe we didn’t realize we would do something mean to those sweet little angels.” Fluttershy said with a frown.

“Dang, now I feel bad for not including them.” Spike said with a frown. “And I’m the youngest in this group.”

“Oh, why do I keep forgetting them? I always remember parties, but those fillies.” Pinkie said sadly.

“Hey, you made a mistake, what matters now is what you do to fix it,” Blaze told them.

“And we can see you have made some improvements with girls,” Hydro noted, “They have Coconut Cream to spend time with,”

“And Toola Roola and Minty,” Sunset added with a smile.

“So now, Twilight needs to add her own,” Pinkie said, pointing to Twilight.

“Wait, my own what?” Twilight questioned.

“You’re own little sister. Like Rainbow with Scootaloo, me with Minty, and Fluttershy with Coconut, you should get one of your own as well.” Pinkie said with a cheerful smile.

“Which might be hard since there’s no other filly who is like Twilight. I sure don’t know any egghead fillies.” Rainbow joked.

“You’re an egghead with the Daring Do books.” Storm jokes, which made Rainbow slap him with her wings. “Ow.” He grunted.

“And the closest thing Twilight has to a little sibling is Spike,” Midnight pointed out. “And even then, you two are more, mother and son, than brother and sister,” he added with a smile.

Spike and Twilight blushed a bit as they gave sheepish chuckles. “W-Well… I don’t…” Twilight stammered.

“I mean, she did hatch me… but…she didn’t lay it,” Spike stammered, twiddling his claws. “I’m sure there’s a filly out there Twilight can take in.” He quickly said, wanting to change the topic.

“It would be nice to be a big sister,” Twilight said with a thoughtful smile. “My brother has always been a big brother, so I wonder how that would be for me.”

“Well, you certainly w--” Midnight trailed off before his ears perked up. “Wait, did you ponies hear a crowd of ponies yelling and screaming or is it just me?” he asked.

Just then, Starlight and Flash rushed into the Throne room and panted tiredly, “Guys, we have problems!” Flash told them.

“What’s going on?” Fluttershy asked.

“The town’s ponies are chasing after a little filly!” Starlight cried out. “And they say it’s a Changeling in Disguise!”

“What?!” The Heroic 15 all yelled in shock.

“A Changeling?!” Rainbow and Storm exclaimed.

“Here?!” Rarity and Hydro added.

“That’s not good.” Sunset and Blaze muttered.

“Well, we better get after it before those ponies tear it to shreds.” Midnight said seriously as he turn to Starlight and Flash.

“Wait, catch it?” Spike asked. “Shouldn’t we let the ponies do the work?”

“Spike, now’s not the time.” Midnight said as he turn to them. “Flash, Starlight, what does this changeling look like last? Because if it takes forms of other ponies, it will be hard to figure out which is which.”

“That’s the funny thing.” Flash said. “We only seen one form and it never change into something else, it’s taken the form of an Alicorn filly.”

“Wait, an Alicorn filly?” Midnight asked as he and the others looked surprised before Rainbow scoffed.

“As if an Alicorn can be a small filly.” Rainbow said before she heard Twilight clearing her throat, which made Rainbow turn and saw Twilight giving her a glare as Rainbow realized what she said. “Uh, I mean, real ponies that are rare like Flurry Heart, I mean. Heh.” She quickly said with a sheepish look.

“Still, an alicorn filly may not be the best disguise,” Midnight noted before his eyes widened. “Wait, what if it's not?”

“Huh?” They all said..

“I mean, a Changeling is too smart to even pick a form that is not real for a disguise.” Midnight said to them. “What if this really is an Alicorn.”

“B-But that's impossible.” Rarity said to them. “I mean, we know it’s rare for an Alicorn to be born, but for it to be more out there, it’s impossible!”

“Well, there is only one way to find out.” Storm said as he flew up. “Let’s go find her and talk to her before those ponies do something they regret.”

“I’m down.” Rainbow said with a shrug as the others nodded to themselves.

“Well, let’s go before it’s too late.” Midnight said as the Heroic 14, Starlight, Flash, and Spike rushed out of the castle.

Meanwhile, at the CMCs’ clubhouse, Applebloom stands at her lectern, “This meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is called to order.” Applebloom hitting with her gravel, “We welcome our guests, Toola Roola, Coconut Cream and Minty.”

Coconut gave a chuckle. “Nice hangout you have here.” She said with a smile.

“This was my older sister’s old hangout, but she doesn’t use it anymore, so it’s ours.” Applebloom said with a smile.

“Yeah, we had a lot laughs in here,” Scootaloo said with chuckle.

“So, what should we try next?” Minty asked.

“Well, we sometimes discuss on how to get our Cutie Marks, which as you can tell, isn’t going well.” Sweetie Belle said as she gestured to the drawing board of attempts to get their Cutie Marks.

“Wow, you girls really tried a lot.” Toola commented as she, Coconut, and Minty looked at the board in surprise.

“Yeah, and everytime we try, we get jacksquat,” Scootaloo complained before she gave determined look, “But we’re not giving up yet!”

“We keep going to find our marks.” Sweetie Belle added with the same expression.

“And we never stop until we find our place.” Applebloom said with a smile. “Still think we should try making jam.”

“Enough with the jam already, Applebloom, please.” Scootaloo said with a groan.

“Seriously, it’s getting old.” Sweetie Belle said tiredly.

“Okay how about-” Applebloom was cut off when they suddenly heard the sounds of yelling and fearful screaming.

“Help! Help!” A filly cried.

“Sounds like a filly is in trouble.” Toola said as they then felt the treehouse shake. “And an Earthquake?” She asked in confusion as the six rushed out and looked and saw the alicorn filly flying towards them. “What in the name of Celestia?!”

“Who’s she?!” Coconut said in shock.

“Help!” The filly cried as she dove towards the Clubhouse, “You gotta hide me!” she pleaded.

“What?! W-Wait, are you an A--” Scootaloo tried to asked before the alicorn filly shoved them back in.

“No time! Hide me!” She cried out as she quickly jumped into the clubhouse and quickly shut the door just as the ponies ran by as she watched them go before they were out of sight before she sighs in relief. “Phew, I think I lost them.” She said before she turned and saw the CMC looking at her in shock and confusion while she realized their reaction. “Uh, I take it you've never seen a pony like me before.” She said sheepishly.

“You're an Alicorn!” The six said in amazement before crowding around.

“You're our age!” Sweetie Belle cheered.

“I've never met an Alicorn before!” Toola Roola added.

“I thought Twilight was the only Alicorn in Ponyville!” Applebloom said in wonder.

“Can you do any spells?” Coconut asked.

“How fast can you fly?!” Scootaloo asked excitedly.

“What's your favorite snack?” Minty asked last.

“W-Wait? What?” The Alicorn filly asked in confusion. “S-Slow down, I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Sorry, it’s just that, you’re an Alicorn!” Scootaloo said in pure excitement. “And around our age!”

“You mean, there aren't any others?” The filly asked them with a frown..

“We only know five grown-up Alicorns, and well, there is one and she has just been brought to the world from what Rarity told me.” Sweetie Belle said while remembering what Flurry Heart Rarity told her about. “But you’re the first to be around our age!”

“What’s your name!?” Toola asked in excitement.

“I, I'm Starsong.” The filly said with a nervous look.

“Starsong?” Applebloom said with a smile. “Great name.”

“What’s your Cutie--” Scootaloo tried to say, but after seeing her flank, her eyes widened. “Wait, you're a blank flank too?!”

“Umm, yes?” Starsong said nervously.

“This is a first!” Coconut said with a smile, “We’re blank flanks too!” She said as she and the others showed their blank flanks.

“W-Wow.” Starsong said in surprise. “And uh, can you ponies back up a bit. Y-You’re crowding me.” She said as the group realizes how close they are to Starsong as they back up from her.

“Oh, uh, sorry.” Minty said with a sheepish look.

“W-We’re just excited.” Coconut said while rubbing her head.

“I see that.” Starsong said before her eyes widened. “Wait, you said that there's an Alicorn here in this town?” She asked hopefully.

“Uh-huh, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Sweetie Belle answered.

“She lived at the Castle of Friendship with another Alicorn, Midnight Shadow. You can see it through the window.” Applebloom said as Starsong quickly turned the window and saw the castle of friendship sparkling in the distance. “Surprise you didn’t notice.”

“Maybe because I was being chased by an angry mob.” Starsong said naturally.

“Right.” Applebloom said sheepishly. “Why did they chase you?”

“They think I’m some kind of changeling due to two ponies who were messing with me that I accidentally shot my magic at them and made a panic, and now, everypony is out to get me.” Starsong explained with a nervous look.

“Well you can hide out in here,” Applebloom told her, “Nopony ever comes ‘round here.”

“I think she’s in the blankflank’s clubhouse!” Diamond Tiara’s voice yelled out from outside, which made the seven flinch. “Check there!”

“Except for Diamond Tiara.” Sweetie Belle said as Starsong started to panic.

“I-I gotta get out of here!” Starsong cried out in anxiety. “Is there a backdoor in this treehouse?!”

“Watch this!” Scootaloo told her as she opened up a trapdoor, “This way, through the emergency slide!””

“We have an emergency slide?” Applebloom asked with a brow.

“I love slides in secret entrances.” Scootaloo said before the door started banging. “Now come on! Let’s go!” She called as Starsong and the others then all went one by one through the trap door and slid down the slide.

“Which way now?” Toola asked in worry.

Applebloom looked around before she saw the Everfree Forest. “To the Everfree Forest! They can’t find us there!” She said.

“What? But we shouldn’t…” Minty tried to say.

“There she is!” Diamond Tiara yelled out as she and the mob was behind them.

“On second thought, run!” Minty yelled as the seven fillies got up and ran as fast as they could with the mob chasing them before they made their way into the Everfree Forest, making Diamond Tiara and the mob stopped at the entrance.

“Yeah! You better run, changeling!” Diamond Tiara yelled out with a look.

“Excuse me, what's going on here?” Twilight’s voice called as they turned and saw the Heroic 14, Spike, Starlight, and Flash behind them.

“What’s all this about?” Midnight questioned with a look.

“Oh, no need to worry, your majesties.” Diamond Tiara said. “There’s just been a changeling on the loose. We chased it away.”

“Did you see the Changeling's real form?” Sunset questioned.

“No. But she was disguising as an Alicorn filly. Who would fall for that?” Diamond Tiara scoffed.

“And you didn't think that an alicorn wouldn't be too obvious of a disguise?” Storm questioned with a brow. “Changelings are much more clever than sticking out like a sore thumb.”

“W-Well, it was pretty obvious. She blasted me and Silver Spoon!” Diamond Tiara said.

“Yeah, she blasted us after we flick her horn and pulled her wings to see if they were fake!” Silver Spoon said, which made Diamond Tiara look at her with a glare. “Uh, oops.” She said sheepishly.

Midnight then grabbed Diamond Tiara by the tail and held her upside down with his magic, “You did what?!” He yelled in rage, which made Diamond Tiara flinched while the crowd looked at each other nervously. “No wonder that alicorn ran off! You two bullies scared her!”

“S-She’s a fake!” Diamond Tiara cried out in fear. “I-I mean, who sees an Alicorn who is around a filly’s age?!”

“Well, maybe if you two haven’t provoked her, she wouldn’t have to!” Midnight yelled with a look. “And for the record, in case you haven’t heard from the Crystal Empire, it is possible for somepony to be born an Alicorn! And also, you shouldn’t have bullied or chase a filly just for who she is!”

“Where did she go?” Twilight asked Diamond Tiara.

“U-Um, s-she and the Bl-” Diamond Tiara tried to said before Midnight glared at her.

“Say those words and I'll show you something really scary,” Midnight snarled.

“S-She entered the Everfree Forest, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Diamond Tiara said a bit nervously while gesturing to the Everfree Forest.

“What?!” Applejack exclaimed in shock.

“Our sisters went in there?!” Rarity exclaimed in worry.

“Oh, that is not cool!” Rainbow said with a look as Midnight growled.

“We’ll deal with you later, Tiara.” Midnight said as he dropped Diamond Tiara, who gave a yelp as he turned to the crowd. “And everypony, we’re gonna have a firm talk about judging a book until it's over!” He yelled out, which made the crowd flinch fearfully while Midnight turned to his friends. “Alright, ponies. Let’s go. Those kids need us.” He said as he rushed into the forest.

“Spike, better send word to Celestia and Luna and tell them what has happened.” Twilight said as Spike nodded and took out a quill and paper as he started writing down the message as the group followed Midnight into the forest.

In the forest, the CMC ran as fast as they could into the forest as they stopped in a clearing as they caught their breath. “I think… we’ve lost them.” Minty said while taking a breather.

“But now we’re lost.” Coconut said as she gestured around.

“And back where I started.” Starsong said with a frown.

“Wait, you were in the forest?” Applebloom said in surprise, “Why?”

“I don’t know. It just, when I woke up, I was suddenly here.” Starsong said while gesturing to the forest. “I spent all night searching my way out before this morning when I saw that town that chased me out.”

“That’s… that is strange.” Scootaloo said with a brow. “You suddenly waking up in the Everfree Forest. Weird.”

“It’s the Everfree Forest, Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle said with a brow. “A lot of things can happen here.”

“Good point.” Scootaloo said in surprise.

“So, this place is called the Everfree Forest?” Starsong asked as she looked around. “I didn’t know such a place like this existed.”

“Wait, you didn’t know about the Everfree Forest?” Toola asked in surprise. “How could you not know?”

“Well, Equestria is just so much more different than I last saw it, at least I think so,” Starsong explained.

“Wait, when did you last see it?” Minty asked in surprise as well. “How long were you away? Where did you come from?”

“I don’t know how long I was away.” Starsong said with a confused look. “But I am from--” She was caught off guard when they started hearing growling sounds, which made the fillies stiff in fear. “W-W-What was that?”

“Uh, oh,” Applebloom feared, recognizing that sound.

“Not them again.” Sweetie Belle said as she and Scootaloo gave nervous looks.

“Uh, what are you talking about?” Minty asked in fear.

“We know that sound.” Scootaloo trembled in fear. “One of the creatures in the Everfree Forest…”

Then coming out from the darkness of the forest was a pack of wooden wolves and glowing green eyes. “TIMBERWOLVES!” The three CMC yelled out in fear while the Timberwolves howled loudly.

In another part of the forest, the Heroic 17 were walking down the path before hearing the haunting howls, “Timberwolves,” Applejack said seriously.

“Of course.” Rainbow said tiredly while Fluttershy gave a nervous look before they heard screaming, which made Midnight raise a brow.

“Never heard that kind of creature before.” Midnight said with a frown.

“Those are the girls.” Rarity said with a tired brow.

“They must’ve gotten themselves into another timberwolf situation again.” Rainbow said in concern. “We better go help them.”

“We’ll let’s go!” Applejack shouted. “They need us now more then--” She was cut off when they heard magic blasting sounds in the distance, which the group saw pink magical flashes by the bushes.

“What was that?” Fluttershy asked.

“You think that was Sweetie Belle?” Pinkie asked while rubbing her head in confusion.

“No, it was the wrong color,” Rarity said, knowing her sister’s magic very well.

“Come on, let’s go check it out.” Storm said as the group rushed through the bushes and trees as fast as they could as more magic blasts were heard as they ran closer to the source, after a few moments of going through the plantations, they stopped at the clearing and saw the CMC, surrounded by many twigs and branches while they also noticed Starsong, who gave an exhausted look as she panted while her horn was smoking from the magic she used.

“Wow,” The fillies said with sparkling eyes.

“That… was… awesome!” Scootaloo said in amazement.

“Phew. It’s… been a while since… I did magic.” Starsong said in exhaustion as she rubbed her horn.

The CMCs then noticed the Heroic 17 approaching. “Uh-oh.” Scootaloo said in worry.

“We’re in trouble.” Applebloom said with a frown.

“Does this happen often with you three?” Minty asked.

“More then you think.” Sweetie Belle answered as the Heroic 17 walked towards them. “Rarity, ponies. It’s not what it looks like--”

“It’s okay, Sweetie Belle, we know.” Rarity assured her sister.

“We heard it from the crowd and we understood why you fillies went into the Everfree Forest.” Applejack said.

“Which is pretty brave.” Arbor said with an impressive smile.

“But still dangerous.” Twilight said with a frown.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked, coming up to Coconut.

“We’re okay,” Coconut assured, “Thanks to Starsong,” She said, gesturing to the exhausted Alicorn filly as the adult ponies looked at her in shock.

“Wow. So it’s true.” Blaze said in amazement.

“Another Alicorn.” Hybro muttered.

“Yeah, we have the same reaction.” Starlight said while Flash nodded as they walked up to Starsong.

Twilight then approached the filly with a smile, “Hello, my name is Twilight,” She introduced, lowering herself to her, “And you’re Starsong,” She said gently.

Starsong looked at Twilight for a moment as she nodded her head slowly, still feeling a bit uneasy from how she been through today. “Y-Yes.” She said softly.

“I have to admit, apart from my niece, you’re the youngest alicorn I ever met,” Twilight told Starsong.

“That makes two of us.” Midnight said as he slowly kneels down next to Twilight. “And you… you’re a surprise for sore eyes.” He said while Starsong looked away a bit. “I-It’s okay. We’re friends. Alicorn to Alicorn.” He said as he and Twilight spread their wings.

Starsong felt a bit better as she saw them. “T-There are still Alicorns around.” She said with a smile.

“Yeah, but we’re pretty rare,” Midnight joked.

“So far, there’s only six Alicorns. And with you, that makes it seven.” Twilight said before tilting her head, “But where are you from sweetie? Where are you parents?”

“I-I don’t know. I-I can’t remember anything before I woke up in the middle of this forest.” Starsong said with a frown. “I-I try to find other Alicorns like myself, but, I only saw Pegasi, Earth Ponies, and Unicorns, whom they chased me out, thinking I was a Changeling.”

“Yeah, we can tell.” Rainbow said with a brow. “Seriously, were they that paranoid?”

“You really wanna answer that question, Dash?” Storm questioned with a brow, which Rainbow gave a dull look.

“Well, they’re not gonna bother you anymore.” Twilight assured Starsong with a gentle look. “We’re gonna get this all sorted out.”

“Yeah. So, if you don’t know where you lived, you can come with us back to the castle.” Midnight said with a smile. “We have two alicorn princesses there who might be able to help you.”

“Really?” Starsong said hopefully.

“Really,” Twilight nodded, “So, will you come with us?” She said, offering her hoof.

Starsong looked at Twilight’s hoof for a moment before she gave a happy smile and then jumped and gave her a surprise hug around her neck. Twilight smiled back and returned the hug. “Thank you! Thank you!” She said in pure joy while the others smiled from this.

“Hehe, that filly sure got spirit.” Rocky commented.

“Alright, now let’s get out here. It just occurred to me that Timberwolves can put themselves back together,” Arbor reminded them.

“Yep.” So let’s blow ya’ll.” Applejack said as the entire group then rushed out of the Everfree Forest before the Timberwolves have any chance to reassemble themselves.

Sometime later, the group returned to Ponyville, and after the Ponies gave Starsong a heartfelt apology for the misunderstanding. Eventually they returned to the castle and sat in the throne room. With them were Celestia and Luna, receiving the message from Spike, shocking them greatly as they came as soon as they could.

Once arriving, they looked down to Starsong who looked in awe at the Royal Sisters' towering height. “Wow,” Starsong said in amazement, as she felt something itching at the back of her head, looking at the two. “You… You’re so tall.”

Celestia giggled and lowered herself down to Starsong, “And you are certainly small,” She said amusedly. “It’s an honor to meet you, young Starsong,”

“Can you truly not remember where you come from?” Luna asked the filly.

“N-No.” Starsong shook her head. “I-I don’t remember much. I just, woke up in the Everfree Forest one night, trying to remember where I was from while figuring out where I am, and then, I found this town, Ponyville, which as you can tell, wasn’t good after getting chased around, met up some young group of ponies, and well, you can tell from the rest.” She said while scratching her head.

“Yes, sometimes when ponies see things they don’t understand, fear is their only response,” Celestia told her.

“Constantly in this town, apparently.” Midnight muttered while Twilight elbowed him as he gave a grunt and a shrug.

“Still, I’m glad you managed to make some good friends despite you’re less than warm welcome,” Luna said, looking to the CMCs who smiled with halos over their heads.

“Only our sisters can make friends out of nowhere.” Applejack said with a small smile.

“Still, it’s still amazing to meet Alicorns our age!” Scootaloo said as she and the others went up next to Starsong. “Because this is so cool having one around. And you saved us from those Timberwolves with your cool magic! You’re the Super-coolest!” She said fluttering her wings excitedly as Starsong blushed while smiling sheepishly.

“I-It was only reflex.” Starsong said sheepishly.

“Perhaps you should show us what you can do,” Celestia noted before looking at Twilight and nodded.

Twilight nodded back before she conjured up a spellbook and levitated towards Starsong. “Here’s a spellbook that will help you with your magic. Just try something you think it’s easy to do and focus.” She instructed.

Starsong looked at the book for a bit before she opened it and flipped through the pages for anything that caught her eyes, “Ooh, what is this spell?” She asked, pointing to a spell on the book.

“That’s just a transformation spell.” Midnight said with a shrug. “Not sure if you can pull it off. Seems a bit advanced.”

“I wanna try!” Starsong said with an exciting look as she looked at the instructions on the book.

“Now easy, Starsong,” Twilight eased the filly as Starsong closed the book and readied her magic, “Transformation spells can be unpredictable and-”

Just then, Starsong blasted her horn, which hit Spike as he transformed into a bunny, much to his and everyone's shock. “H-Hey, why do I have the urge to eat carrots?” Spike asked before he looked down at himself. “Ahh?! S-She turned me into a bunny!” He exclaimed.

Storm, Rainbow, Volt, Pinkie, and Starlight all gave amusing laughs to Spike while Fluttershy went to him with sparkles in her eyes. “Oh, you’re so adorable as a bunny, Spike!” She said fondly as she petted Spike’s head, much to the dragon’s embarrassment. “Maybe Angel will have a playmate.”

Midnight then gave a laugh while Twilight put a hoof to her mouth, “Haha, good. Very good,” Midnight applauded while Celestia giggled and Luna shook his head.

“And on your first try,” Twilight complimented as Starsong gave a bright smile.

“This filly got skills.” Starlight said with a smirk. “I’m impressed.”

“And turning Spike into a bunny, who knew?!” Scootaloo called out with a laugh.

“Okay, you’ve had your fun and test.” Spike said with a dull look. “Can I be a dragon again, please?”

Starsong giggled. “Okay.” She said as she focused her magic and blasted Spike again, which made him yelp as he transformed back into a baby dragon. “There you go!”

“Phew finally,” Spike wiped his brow.

“And I totally got it on photo!” Pinkie said as she held up a picture of Spike’s bunny form, which made the others share small laughs as the baby dragon gave an embarrassing look.

Spike then went up to Twilight and pulled a wing to hide himself as Twilight gave a giggle. “It was a bit funny, Spike. At least you weren’t a breezie. Don’t be ashamed of yourself.” She said with a smile as Spike kept hiding in Twilight’s wing as she turned to Starsong. “That was an impressive spell you did there, Starsong. You are very skilled.” She said.

“T-Thanks. I just sorta just do it.” Starsong said with a smile. “It was a bit easy for me.”

“I must admit, magic like yours is quite rare, these three would’ve taken much practice to master transformation spells as fillies, but you, you are really special.” Starlight said with a smile.

“Well, I wouldn’t say special.” Starsong said while playing with her hair.

“After what you just did, I say you are,” Minty said with a smile as she and the other fillies crowded her.

“You’re almost as strong as Twilight, Starlight and Midnight,” Sweetie Belle told her.

“Really?” Starsong asked.

“Really, when I was a filly, I managed to levitate the Magic School judges, turn my parents into plants and turn Spike into a grown-up dragon.” Twilight told her, “And when I was still a unicorn, I managed to put an Ursa Minor to sleep.”

“And I managed to perform Starswirl’s lost temporal voyage spell in order to travel back in time.” Starlight said with a smile.

“And as for me, if I were to show you my full power it would be quite the spectacle.” Midnight said as he gave a proud look, “I’d level a whole mountain,”

“Awesome,” Starsong said with an awed smile and sparkly eyes .

“If this keeps up, powerful magic users will be crawling all over the place.” Applejack joked as the others giggled.

Starsong then gave a sad look. “Starsong, what’s wrong?” Flash asked.

“Well, it’s just… where am I gonna go?” Starsong asked with a frown. “I have no home or family to go to.”

Twilight smiled sympathetically and layed a wing over her, “Don’t worry, honey. Until we find where you come from, you can stay with us in the castle.” She said with a smile.

“R-Really?” Starsong asked with a hopeful look.

“Yeah, there’s always room for one more,” Midnight told her.

“And while you’re here, you can get your cutie mark with us,” Applebloom told her, gesturing to the rest of the CMCs.

“We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Scootaloo added.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders?” Starsong repeated.

“It’s a group where blank flank like us go through many different things to find our Cutie Marks.” Sweetie Belle said with a smile while gesturing to their blank flanks.

“Wow, that sounds… fun.” Starsong said with a smile.

“And now, we got four new members!” Scootaloo cheered as she wrapped her hooves around Starsong as the rest of the fillies got into a group hug while the adults smiled warmly at this.

“Aw, that’s cute.” Storm said with a smirk.

“Looks like our little family just got a little bigger,” Rocky commented.

“And a whole lot more interesting.” Blaze added with a smile while Twilight was giving a concern look. “Twilight, what’s wrong, princess?”

“Well, I am happy that Starsong found us, but there’s one thing that puzzles me.” Twilight said while rubbing her chin.

“What’s that?” Sunset questioned.

“She’s an Alicorn, right?” Twilight asked as the others nodded in agreement. “And she said she was always an Alicorn. But where did she come from? And what does she mean there aren’t any Alicorns?”

“What are you saying?” Blaze wondered.

“I’m saying, that there might be more Alicorns out there, not by earning, but actually natural Alicorns.” Twilight said, which got the groups attention as they gave curious looks.

“Yeah. You’re right. How can she always be an Alicorn when the only Alicorn born we know is Flurry Heart.” Midnight said in wonder. “This is a mystery that we need to solve.”

While they weren’t paying attention, Celestia and Luna glanced at each other in thought, “Do you suppose, Young Starsong isn’t the only one?” Celestia said quietly.

“Perhaps, perhaps a few others managed to escape.” Luna whispered with a hopeful look. “And do you not think it is time to tell them?”

Celestia gave a frown and shook her head, “Not yet, if we tell them now, it could lead us to telling them about…him,” She said worriedly.

Luna gave a frown as she looked at the group who were grouped around the CMCs, more specifically at Twilight, playing around and laughing as she gave a sigh. “Very well. But sister, sooner or later, they will find out.” She said as she walked off.

Celestia watched her sister go before turning to Twilight, who smiled as she placed a wing over Starsong, who smiled in return as Celestia gave a sigh, knowing that her sister’s words are true as there are some things they can’t keep hidden for much longer.

The next day, the CMC are at the treehouse while Toola, Minty, Coconut and Starsong were stand in front while Sweetie Belle was on the counter, Scootaloo while banging the drums, and Applebloom was standing before Scootaloo started banging the drums hard, which made the treehouse shook while the others cringed from the loud drumming before Scootaloo stopped with a serious look before giving one last bang.

“That’s a loud bang to the drums.” Minty commented while the others recomposed themselves.

“Scootaloo, we talked about you doing that.” Applebloom said with a firm look.

“Hey, it part of the ceremony,” Scootaloo told her in defense.

“A very loud one.” Coconut said while rubbing her ears.

Sweetie Belle then quickly took out some paper. “We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, elect Starsong, Minty, Coconut Cream, and Toola Roola to join us as sisters, friends…” She trailed off as she gave a dull look. “Okay, I am not going that long again. We really need a shorter declaration.”

“I thought I revised that one.” Scootaloo said with a cringed look.

“I guess what we’re saying is, Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Sweetie Belle said, giving them their out CMCs cloaks while some streamers and confetti rain down on them.

The four fillies looked at their cloaks in awed as they all smiled. “Wow. These are amazing.” Coconut said with a smile .

“You three really know some creativity to this club.” Toola said with a smile as each of them wore the cloaks.

“Well, it is our purpose to find our Cutie Marks.” Applebloom said with a smile.

“And this is amazing!” Starsong said as they six fillies showed off their cloaks in a pose. “So, what do we do next?”

“Find our cutie marks.” Sweetie Belle answered with a smile.

“But, where do we start?” Coconut asked, which made the three founders give curious looks.

“Uh, we can try out that jam thing and see if either of us get a mark out of it.” Applebloom suggested, which made them give tired looks to her. “Too soon?”

“Eh, might as well give it a try.” Starsong said with a shrug. “Gotta start somewhere. But how about we make a new berry mix jam.” She suggested.

“I’m down.” Scootaloo said.

“Sure.” Toola said.

“That sounds interesting.” Sweetie Belle said.

“That’s a twist.” Coconut said.

“Would be tasty.” Minty said.

“May not be apple, but berries are good too.” Applebloom said with a smile.

“And hey, maybe we could get a Cutie Mark for Berry picking.” Toola Roola told them.

“Guess only one way to find out! Let’s go!” Scootaloo called as the seven fillies rushed off to begin their first step in getting their Cutie Marks as the CMC have new members and friends to their group to help find their purpose.

Author's Note

And that's another Chapter done.

For those eagled-eyed among you, by Season 6 the CMCs had already earned their cutie marks. Well, in my series, I wanted to do some of my favorite episodes from Season 5 here, and the episode where the CMCs get their marks is one of them.

Anywho, as you can see, I've added some new members to the story. Toola Roola and Coconut Cream, from Fame and Misfortune, but as a unicorn and Pegasus respectively, to fit in with their big sister figures, Sunset and Fluttershy. And there's also Minty, from Gen 3, being the little sister figure to Pinkie since I remember in Gen 3 Minty and Pinkie Pie were quite close.

And finally, Starsong, also from Gen 3, as an alicorn and Twilight's little sister. Though it seems she doesn't remember how she got in the Everfree Forest but the answers to that are to come as well as what is it that Celestia and Luna seem to be hiding.

Next Time, our heroes adventures will be heating up as Spike receives a call and they journey to one of the most dangerous places known to Ponies: The Dragonlands!

Post in the comments if you think any more alicorns should appear.

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stay cool, stay friends and I'll see you on the website.

Until then NNNNIIIINNNJJJJJAAA-GO!!!