"Come, Starswirl. Tis a party." A white alicorn said as she walked into the study towards the old sorcerer, who was sitting at a desk with a scroll, quill, and ink. "Put down that musty hat for a change and enjoy yourself. Tis a new day in Equestria after all."

"Yes. It is a new day, with new responsibilities to attend to. One simply doesn't have time to just enjoy oneself."

Celestia smiled, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "You take yourself much too seriously. What could you possibly be doing that cannot wait until the morn?"

"Well, this diplomacy letter outlining potential trade agreements with the griffins of Gryffindor to start with," Starswirl replied. "It may be your coronation, Celestia, but your rule has only just begun. It is time you learned that such responsibility leaves little time for leisurely activities."

"Exactly. Which is why I must enjoy it now, while I still can. Come, your friends are waiting for you."

"Friends?" Starswirl asked.

"You know? Rockhoof. Mistmane. Somnebula." Celestia reminded.

"We are allies," Starswirl corrected. "A team that aids Equestria when it is in grave danger. We tolerate each other's presence despite our…diverse backgrounds. And we hold mutual respect for one another."

Celestia smiled slyly. "Oh, come. Admit it. You like them. And you do make a really good team."

"Yes. Perhaps I do enjoy their company. But Stigian only just brought us together. We have yet to defeat the Sirens. We have weakened them, but they are still out there. We must prepare. Yet another thing we must do as soon as time permits."

Celestia's smile grew mischievous. "I had a feeling you would say that."

Suddenly, a blue alicorn flew around the corner, a big bright smile on her face. "Starswirl, thou must taste these delectable treats! And the music! We have never heard anything like it! It is simply magnificent! Come, Starswirl! We would not be having such a party if it weren't for thee!" And with that, Luna flew back out of the study and back to the party, a giddy smile on her face.

"You know me too well, you know," Starswirl said, turning to face Celestia.

"As in I know you could never say no to Lulu? Maybe?" Celestia smiled before pushing Starswirl towards the party with her head. "Well, go on. She's waiting for you." Suddenly, Starswirl's hat was engulfed in a yellow aura. "And what did I say about this musty hat? Throw it off and go dance!"

Starswirl was about to protest when Luna poked her head from around the corner. "Aren't thou coming?"

Celestia smiled warmly. "Worry not, Starswirl. I'll finish up your diplomacy letter."

"Very well. Let us go child. I shall blow the citizens of Equestria away with my ghastly dancing abilities." He announced before he and Luna left.

Celestia chuckled to herself before she looked over the letter. As she read it to herself, she heard a pony clear his throat. She turned to see a unicorn stallion with a black coat with a subtle sheen of violet and a black mane.

She smiled kindly. "Raven Feather. I hadn't expected to see you. Are you here for the diplomacy letter? I'm afraid it isn't quite finished yet. Starswirl was…distracted. But I swear it will be finished momentarily."

Raven Feather shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. That is not why I'm here. You have a visitor. A unicorn mare."

"Clover? Let me guess. She was in the study researching the Sirens. I swear, that mare is as bad as her mentor. Tell her there will be no talk of Sirens tonight. It's my coronation, and I have the feeling I won't have a chance to have fun like this until it's Luna's turn–"

"Apologies for the interruption, Your Majesty, but it isn't Clover the Clever. It is not a mare we have ever seen before, Your Majesty, but she claims to know you and you her, however, she refuses to give her name."

Celestia nodded and both the alicorn and the advisor left the study to head to the grand hall of the castle. There, surrounded by guards was a unicorn in a black cloak, its hood over its head, hiding its identity.

Celestia stopped a good distance away, watching the figure. She didn't know very many mortals, she hadn't had the chance. Magic lessons took up most of her and Luna's time.

"Who are you?" Celestia asked. "Take down your hood and reveal yourself."

Slowly, the pony raised a magenta hoof and slowly pulled the hood back, an emotionless look on the magenta mare's face, causing Celestia to gasp, before the mare spoke. "Hello, sister."

"Long may he reign," All the guards echoed, bowing low.

The entire room was silent as the four ponies just stared up at the king in fear. The announcer cleared his throat, glaring at the four ponies. Three of them widened their eyes when his meaning became clear. They chuckled nervously before bowing low.

"Long may he reign," Three of them muttered.

But Misty just continued to stand, staring up at the Shadow King, looking him in the eyes as though challenging him, despite all her instincts telling her to do what he said. She spent her whole life bowing and scraping to an alicorn. She would not do so again until he proved he deserved it.

After a few minutes of silence, the alicorn just scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Mortals. They don't fear us anymore. It's as though they have forgotten us immortals. They used to fear us and love us. Quite pathetic really."

'The citizens of Equestria should fear and love their immortal rulers. And they will, because, soon, I'll give them reason to.'

Misty squeezed her eyes shut against Opaline's sudden voice. It's been a while since she heard Opaline's voice in her head like that. The last time she heard her voice like that, well, that she could remember, was right after the changeling version of Pipp broke up with Hitch last year. She wondered why she heard it now of all times. Was it just because of the similarities of what the two alicorns said? Or was something deeper going on?

"Misty?" Sunny asked in a whisper.

Misty opened her eyes, startled, looking around. All her friends were watching her with concern. She blushed and flattened her ears staring at the ground.

"Are you doing alright?" Sunny continued when she saw she had Misty's attention.

Misty just nodded and tuned back into the king, who was currently scowling at Rocky Ice.

"Commander, I ask you to return with one mortal and you return with three."

"Eight, actually, Your Grace." Rocky Ice corrected. "The other five are waitin' outside the castle gates."

"Ser Ice, you are the commander of the king's guard because of your sister. Any mistake reflects badly, not only on you but on her as well."

"Aye, I know, Your Grace, but if you could just–" Rocky Ice started, but was interrupted by King Skotos.

"You know bringing mortals here is dangerous and that they are not allowed to step hoof in Skyros unless I command it. Did I command that more than one mortal can visit?"

"No, but–" Rocky started, only to be interrupted once again.

"That's right. I did not. And yet you brought it upon yourself to do so. Because you believe you know better than your own king?!"

"No, Your Grace, I don't, it's just that–"

"So it was simply stupidity then. What if these mortals were to bring Skyros to ruin? It would be because of your incompetence! You have put us all in danger for no rea–"

"We defeated Opaline Arcana!"

Everypony in the room fell silent as their gazes fell on Pipp, who was smiling sheepishly. The entire throne room was silent for only a couple of moments, but it felt like hours. Pipp blushed, flattening her ears, before chuckling nervously.

"I'm sorry?" the king asked, staring at the pink pegasus.

"Umm…I'm sorry, I–" Pipp started, but the king interrupted again.

"You did…what?" He asked, his expression full of shock and disbelief.

"Defeated Opaline Arcana, Your Grace." Sunny stepped forward, bowing low before standing up and looking at him. She figured it was better if she did the talking from now on before things got worse. "That's why he brought us, Your Grace. He honestly thought you'd want to meet us."

King Skotos sighed heavily. "Yes, I suppose you were right to. Well, I thank you. We will be in your debt. You have done us a great service. Now, seeing as only one alicorn has come to vouch for the mortal, I'm afraid–"

"Two, Your Grace. Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire has agreed to second Misty Brightdawn." At King Skotos' confused look, Sunny clarified. "The mortal in question, Your Grace."

"Yes. But that is still not three." King Skotos said firmly.

"We may have a third, but we're not sure." Sunny paused, before continuing. "Queen Vespula."

"Is she an alicorn?" The king asked.

"Yes, Your Grace. Well, kind of. She has the horn and wings, but…she's a changeling."

"Ba! Those insects change sides like their skin. Only a fool would trust a changeling."

"But, we trust the changelings, Your Grace. We trust them with our lives." Sunny defended.

"Speak for yourselves," Hitch muttered.

"Then you're all bloody fools." King Skotos gestured with his head towards Hitch. "Except that one, ironically."

"Hard to trust the creature who killed your wife." Hitch muttered bitterly.

His mouth twisted as he thought about Queen Vespula. He'd never tell a soul this, Sunny and Pipp would be so disappointed in him, but he still hated Queen Vespula. He hated her more than any creature, even Opaline. Sure, Opaline hurt his friends and hurt Sparky, but she never killed him, even if that was her intention. Vespula actually full on killed the love of his life. And for that, he'd never forgive her. He meant what he said that day, in the changeling hive, when Pipp was still gone. That if it weren't for Pipp, and him wanting to be the stallion she fell in love with, he would've killed her long ago.

He still remembered every moment of Pipp's death. It was weird. So much had happened that day, and he hardly remembered anything else. He barely remembered Izzy's distraction. He barely remembered fighting the changeling guards that were guarding Izzy and Queen Vespula posing as Pipp. He could barely recall the battle in the throne room or being captured again. Being reunited with Pipp or the second battle. Getting the Elements of Unity. It was all a blur to him. Like some movie he watched as a foal and could barely remember any of it because it had been years since he watched it.

But from the moment Pipp jumped in front of that magic beam until she took her last breath, he remembered every little detail. The smell of burning flesh and hair as it filled the throne room. The smoke rising from Pipp's body. Her screams as the blast electrocuted her. He even remembered the number of times Zipp pleaded no in a whisper to herself. One hundred times in the thirty seconds she was in that blast. He remembered the painful sensation he felt when he flew through the blast to save her. The way his own body seized up painfully in the five seconds he was in it.

He remembered how she looked. The way her body shivered and shook as if she was freezing to death when her body was hot in his hooves. How her voice sounded like she had been coughing nonstop all day. How when she took her last breath, when he lost her, how it was so painful for him, losing the love of his life, that he actually felt it physically.

And then…nothing. It was all a blur again, just like before. For as long as he remembered those few moments, he would never forgive that creature. His heart would hate that creature. And no matter how long he lived, whether that be a thousand years or a million or a day, he'd never forget.

And he wanted so badly to forget…

The throne room was silent following Hitch's words. Finally, King Skotos spoke. "I'm…sorry for your loss. That mustn't have been easy."

Hitch snorted. That was the understatement of the millennium. Not easy? Try impossible.

"But," The Shadow King continued. "It seems you moved on alright if the matching wedding rings are any indication."

Hitch tensed, his jaw clenching. He'd never move on if something happened to Pipp. To his little songbird.

"Actually, Your Grace, I'm the wife she killed," Pipp spoke up when she felt Hitch's body tense.

She didn't remember much about her death. Unlike Hitch, it was a blur to her. There were only certain things she could truly remember, a few moments that stuck out to her. She…remembered seeing the beam being fired toward Jewel and Morphis, the changeling friends who were the first to reform. Morphis was the only kind one to her while she was imprisoned. They had become friends, even before that day in the throne room when they had received the Elements of Unity. And Jewel was a changeling he loved like a sister. Granted, they were all his siblings, but Jewel was the only one he felt that sisterly connection with.

She didn't remember jumping in front of them. The next thing she could remember was Hitch, singing to her. Realizing that the voice she heard while singing the song she sang about not appreciating Hitch when he was right in front of her wasn't her imagination. It really was his voice. And then…she remembered a bright golden light and then turning her head to look at a sobbing Hitch. That's it.

"You mean to tell me," King Skotos asked, his eyes wide. "You crossed the veil and returned?"

Pipp simply nodded, having a feeling this veil he was talking about was death.

King Skotos was silent for a moment, before asking, "Why have you come then? What is it you ask of me?"

Sunny breathed a sigh of relief. He seemed more open, and more receptive. "Time, Your Grace. That's all. We already have two alicorns that'll back Misty. We just need one more. Just…allow us a little bit of time to find a third alicorn. Please."

Skotos sighed heavily. "Which one of you is Misty Brightdawn?"

Misty stepped forward, her head hanging, trying her best to hide her face in her mane, like she tried to do so often when she lived with Opaline. Despite her bout of courage moments ago in refusing to bow, it seemed as if she suddenly lost it. Her fate was in this king's hooves. She was at his mercy, and there was nothing she could do, just like with Opaline.

Skotos nodded slowly. "Ah, yes. The mare who refused to bow. Tell me, Miss Brightdawn. Why did you?"

Misty swallowed. "Because, Your Grace, I spent my whole life bowing and scraping at Opaline's hooves and all she did in return was abuse, torment me, and make me feel worthless. I won't give somepony that power over me again until they prove that they won't take advantage of it for their own selfish gain, like Opaline tried to do."

A small smile appeared on King Skotos' face. "That is exactly why I took the throne. I refused to bow at another's hooves again." He paused, as though debating something, before turning to the married couple. "You." He pointed with his hoof to the pegasus. "How long were you dead?"

Pipp opened her mouth to say she had no idea, but Hitch answered in her place. He'd never forget the miracle the Elements gave him. "Two hours, Your Grace."

Skotos twisted his lips in thought. He muttered something that sounded like numbers before announcing, "I'll give you one hundred and twenty hours to find your third alicorn. That is five days. Consider this our payment to you for defeating Opaline. I believe that is more than generous."

"Yes. Yes, it is. Thank you, Your Grace. You won't regret it." Sunny smiled brightly, her insides sagging with relief.

"I better not. Because if I do, so will you." King Skotos sighed before looking around. "Where is that damn son of mine. Useless piece of…" He turned to a guard. "Where is the Prince?"

But the guard only shrugged, still standing there.

Skotos grit his teeth. "I don't pay you to stand around all day! Go find him!" He yelled, pointing a hoof towards the doors.

The guard bowed before scurrying off.

Skotos sighed before he leaned back on his throne, muttering, "I swear, I'm paying idiots to protect me." He turned to the four ponies. "Rocky Ice will escort you to meet with the rest of your friends. There, my son will meet you and escort you to your chambers and discuss the ground rules."

"Wait. Did you say chambers?" Pipp asked, flying up. "You mean we're not staying in a dirty old dungeon. Oh, thank every Skyronian god." Pipp fell back in the air as though fainting, lowering herself to the ground.

Sunny stepped in front of Pipp with a nervous smile. "Ignore her, Your Grace. We'd be happy with any accommodations you'd make for us. We are more than grateful for your leniency." Sunny said, bowing before the five of them left.

Sunny and Misty glanced at each other, the same thought going through their heads. They just hoped it would be enough.

"Well?" Zipp asked the second the four ponies stepped onto the Marestream.

Sparky was awake and was currently painting with the three filly Pippsqueaks under Izzy's supervision. Pipp and Hitch smiled at each other before going back to watching the scene, smiles on their faces, Pipp's head on Hitch's shoulder.

"We have one hundred and twenty hours to find an alicorn…" Sunny started to explain it all to Zipp.

As she did, however, Sparky noticed the couple and waddled up to them, holding a piece of paper. He gurgled, handing it to Hitch, who smiled as he took it. He looked down at Sparky's painting and smiled. It was a crude drawing of the three of them, Pipp, Hitch, and Sparky, in front of the Sheriff's Station. He showed it to Pipp, who smiled warmly at the picture. When they looked closer, they saw a fourth figure. A little earth pony foal. It had Hitch's mane and Pipp's coat, obviously a little colt, but the meaning was clear.

Sparky waddled back over to the table, grabbing another paper to begin painting again. Pipp and Hitch looked at each other. They planned to wait until Sparky was a little older before they added to their family. At least until he was out of his toddler years. Dealing with a newborn foal and a baby dragon with the mind of a toddler and transformation dragon fire would've been…a lot.

Not to mention Hitch's job as sheriff taking up so much of his time, and Pipp being busy with Mane Melody, her own beauty line, and her royal duties. Now was not the right time to have kids. Pipp also wanted to at least wait until Jazz and Rocky, her employees and very good friends, were confident enough to run the salon on their own until, essentially, she was just the figurehead. She loved Mane Melody, and she loved working there and running it, and the customers, but…she also wanted to start a family with Hitch. If she was going to be the kind of mother she wanted to be, she needed to lessen her plate.

But, she wasn't the only one making sacrifices. While asking Hitch to turn in his badge was like asking Pipp to give up her social media or her singing completely, he was going to sacrifice something. His duties and time. His ultimate plan was to hire a deputy and train them as sheriff, so when they began trying, he would only work every other day, and the days he wasn't, the deputy would be acting sheriff. He already had a temporary pony in mind.

No, they were far from ready to have kids, but the thought that Sparky wanted to have a little brother or sister meant the world to them.

Suddenly, the ten of them heard somepony clear their throat. They all looked up, even little Sparky, to see a white alicorn with a light blueish purple mane and a bandana that was a shade darker than his mane around his neck. There was something peculiar about him though. While his entire coat was without a single blemish, the typical white as snow thing, except for his cutie mark which was a moon inside a blue five-pointed star, there was a blue spot that was also a shade darker than his mane, though it was a lot more blue in shade, over his right eye, and only his right eye. His left eye lacked it completely.

The ponies and baby dragon stared uncomprehendingly at the white alicorn stallion, unsure as to who he was. The alicorn just had a small, smug smile on his face as he leaned against the wall, a bit flirtatiously dare they say.

"Ah, I see you don't recognize me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Winter Moon of Skyros." The alicorn introduced himself helpfully. "I am to escort you lovely mares to your chambers." Prince Winter Moon wriggled his eyebrows incentively.

Hitch stepped forward, next to Pipp. "Um, excuse me, but one of those 'lovely mares' is my wife."

"Oh yes, I mean no disrespect. As for the others…" He trailed off, putting on his most charming smile.

"Excuse me?" Zipp asked, looking disgusted. The others just looked confused.

"You will enjoy, I guarantee. All mares enjoy the company of Prince Winter Moon." He stated proudly.

Izzy, Misty, and Sunny just looked at each other, Sunny raising an eyebrow, Misty and Izzy looking uncomfortable.

Zipp shook her head, growing frustrated. "Look buster, we're not here to hook up. We're here to help our friend, and we only have five days to do so, so if we could just hurry this along…"

"Of course." Winter Moon smiled charmingly. "This way. The servants will get your things." Winter Moon stepped aside. "After you, ladies."

Uncomfortable, Sunny, Zipp, Misty, Izzy, and Pipp walked out of the Marestream. Hitch put Sparky on his back and allowed the Pippsqueaks to exit before him. He eyed Winter Moon down as he left the Marestream, before Winter teleported in front of the group, next to Sunny.

As they walked through the beautiful palace, a thought came to Sunny. Here she was, wanting to do everything she could to help Misty, but she knew nothing about Skyronian law. She needed to do some research and get herself educated about it so she could actually help Misty.

"Umm…Your Grace?" Sunny asked hesitantly.

"My Lord. I'm not king." Winter Moon smiled charmingly again. "Yet. But you can just call me Winter."

"Right. Winter. Is there a library here? I was hoping to do some research on Skyronian law."

"We do. Maybe I could help you…if you know what I mean."

Sunny took a step back when she realized Winter Moon was leaning in fairly close. She had also realized they stopped walking. Sunny blushed and her heart raced, but she wasn't fooled. Sunny knew he did this with all the mares he deemed good-looking.

Sunny cleared her throat and gestured for Winter to continue walking. Winter shrugged before doing so, not speaking another word until they reached their destination.

However as they walked, Misty heard something down one of the hallways they passed. Misty paused looking down it. The thing she heard…it almost sounded like…foals' laughter? It had an echo effect, like they were all in a cave.

Misty stood there for a moment, staring down the empty dark hallway, but she didn't hear anything else. Just silence. After another moment of staring, she sighed, shaking her head before catching up with the others.

"My father wants you in one room," Winter Moon started as they approached more big double doors. "That way, you'll be easier to keep an eye on in case something happens. Don't worry, he made plenty of accommodations." Then, he opened the doors.

They all gasped as they saw the room. It was huge. As big as the throne room, if not bigger. There were six beds, though one of them was like three beds combined. The Pippsqueaks ran to that one, all flopping themselves onto it, and sighing as though they were in heaven. Hitch and Pipp chose a bed close to the Pippsqueaks', putting their saddlebags atop it. The rest then dispersed, each choosing their own bed. Misty chose the one next to Sunny, feeling safer the closer she was to her, while Zipp chose the one next to Misty's, and Izzy was next to Pipp and Hitch on the other side of the room.

"Everything you'll need has been provided for. There are four bathrooms and each of you has a closet and a nightstand. There are three desks and plenty of room. Now, my father did make a few conditions. You are not to leave this room without a guard or myself. And you are forbidden from wandering about the castle, unless the dining room for meals, if you wish, or the library to…research."

"So…we're prisoners?" Zipp asked bitterly.

"Trust me, we do not treat prisoners like this. You are honored guests we don't exactly trust, okay? Well, if that'll be all…?" He leaned closer to Izzy, who was closest to the door. She leaned back, clearly uncomfortable. "Holler if you need me."

With that, he teleported out of the room, the door magically closing behind him. The ponies were silent for a moment before Zipp spoke. "Well, he's a real charmer," she muttered sarcastically.

"Alright, here's the plan." Sunny walked to the middle of the room, not wanting to waste a second. "Hitch and Zipp, you two are coming with me to this library to research Skyronian law. Pipp, Izzy, and Misty, you go out into the towns, and try to find some alicorn willing to hear you out."

"Not that I don't think you'd be a lot of help researching, but I think you should go with the three of them," Zipp suggested

"W-what?" Sunny asked. "B-but, I'm the alicorn. I need–"

"Exactly," Zipp interrupted. "You're an alicorn. Izzy and Pipp are really good convincing ponies to do something, but it won't matter if they don't listen to begin with. Sunny, you're an alicorn. You can get their attention long enough for Pipp and Izzy to sell it. You can get them to listen. Then, Misty'll win them over."

"But…it'll just be the two of you…" Sunny argued weakly.

Hitch waved a dismissive hoof. "Nah. We'll have the Pippsqueaks and Sparky. And while they know nothing about law and research, I'm sure there'll be ways they could help. Besides, Zipp's right. We can spend all five days trying to convince an alicorn to back Misty, but none of it will matter if they don't listen. They'll only listen to their own kind."

"And as much as I hate that guy, you should ask Winter to go with. He knows his way around here and, well, having their prince with you might make them more open to listening." Zipp suggested.

Sunny sighed, relenting. "Okay. I'll go get Winter and ask him to come. But you tell me everything you learn about Skyronian law."

"We'll even take notes for you to read," Hitch promised.

"Actually, you might want to wait until tomorrow," Peach Fizz called.

The six ponies turned to see the three Pippsqueaks standing at one of the grand windows. They all joined the three fillies, only to gasp. The sun had already almost completely set. How was that possible?

"I…I don't understand. We just got here." Sunny began to panic as she stared out the window. "We left at dawn, right?"

Zipp nodded. "Yep. The sun was just peaking over the horizon."

"Then how is it already late evening?!" Izzy asked, looking at her friends, hoping they may have an answer.

"I…I don't know." Sunny hurried to the doors of their chamber, peeking her head out at the two guards posted there. "Hi, kind sirs. I have a quick question. You see, when we left Equestria, it was dawn. But now it's late evening here. Mind telling me why that is when it took us five minutes to get here through a portal thingy?"

"Aye. Time zones, lass. Your dawn is our evenin'." One of the guards informed helpfully.

Sunny smiled. "Thanks." She closed the door to their room. "Time zones apparently. Their evening is our dawn."

Misty yawned. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. It's been a tiring day, and it hasn't even been a full one. Plus," she yawned again. "I barely got any sleep last night."

"I don't think any of us did." Hitch agreed.

"I already set my timer for ninety-nine hours." When all the ponies looked at her, she shrugged. "It wouldn't go any higher than that."

All the ponies chuckled as they readied themselves for the task ahead of them, praying they could succeed.

"…oh, and Lulu's gotten so big, you wouldn't believe it. She's no longer the little ten-year-old that left Skyros four years ago," Celestia explained giddily as she and Opaline walked through the gardens of the newly built castle in the Everfree Forest. "Though, she's gotten into the strange habit of saying thou and thee and whatnot. Starswirl and I have no idea where she got that habit from. I mean, I'm sure she'll grow out of it soon. Oh, Linnie, it's so good to have you back. You have no idea how much we have missed you." Celestia gasped, her smile growing. "Wait until Starswirl meets you. He'll be beside himself. You should have seen his face when Lulu and I raised the sun and moon for him for the first time. He looked like he was about to faint, though with surprise or relief we could not tell. Seeing a fire alicorn, he won't know what–"

"I'm not staying, Tia," Opaline muttered, looking away.

Celestia stopped walking, looking at Opaline with a concerned look. "W-what? What do you mean? Of course you're staying."

"No, Tia. I just came to visit. To make sure you were doing okay. And it seems you're…doing fine."

"What? No! You can't go back. Not…not while that…monster is still king."

"He's not a monster," Opaline argued. "He…he helped me control my elemental power. He's…he's been…good to me."

"He murdered our father!" Celestia yelled.

"And yet, you left me behind with him!" Opaline threw back. There was a moment of silence as Opaline could feel her skin growing hot. She took a few calming breaths to calm herself down. Conceal it. Don't feel it. Don't let it show.

"Linnie, I…we…" Celestia started, but Opaline looked up at her with blank eyes.

"It's okay, Tia. I understand. Father…Father was right. The mortals needed you two. You were the special ones, the golden ponies. Everypony's favorites while I…I was just in the background, with a father who feared me."

Opaline clenched her jaw, feeling the anger and hate welling up in her. But she quickly swallowed it down. No, that wasn't true. All Uncle Skotos did was lie. It wasn't true. She just had to keep telling herself that. That he was trying to turn her against her sisters.

"What? No, that's…that's not true." Celestia said, appalled that her sister would think about herself in such a horrible way. "Father loved all three of us equally."

Opaline sighed, looking away. "Look, Tia. I just…I just wanted to make sure you're okay. And now that I know you are…I really ought to be going now." Opaline turned away, tears filling her eyes.

"Linnie, wait–" Celestia started, but Opaline already flew into the air. She seemed to throw something ahead of herself before flying forward and disappearing out of thin air.

Celestia stared after her little sister, tears filling her eyes. Something was different about her Linnie. She knew it. She just…didn't know what. But something deep inside told her she wouldn't see her little sister again.

Author's Note

Alright…chapter 3…done.

This took a little longer cause I spent the last couple of days sick, and I was binge-watching Harry Potter…

Alright, I've got a challenge for you. I based Winter Moon and his personality off of a Disney character. No, I won't narrow it down for you because next chapter, it will be pretty clear. But, before the story comes to an end, see if you can guess which Disney character he's based off of. Just a little something for you to think about.

See you in the next chapter.

F.Y.I: You might also want to ask yourself…how long did it really take Winter Moon, Sunny, and their friends to get to their chambers from the time they left the throne room? And don't worry, there aren't any time skips besides the one between leaving the throne room and arriving at the Marestream. And, how detailed was Rocky Ice when he said there were only eight ponies? And then look over the description of the chamber.

Something doesn't add up…