The Mane 6 had landed for their latest mission in the kingdom of Rosas, where they met a 17-year-old tour guide named Asha and learned they had to remain invisible for a majority of their mission, due to the fact that no one except the king was allowed to use magic.

And, for some peculiar reason, Asha had a VERY important meeting with King Magnifico himself, and Sunny was sure that King Magnifico could help grant her wish of keeping Equestria safe from harm.

But Misty… she sensed that something was off, feeling the same as she did when Opaline manipulated her for her cutie mark.

Nevertheless, the Mane 6 stuck close to Asha and Valentino as they all headed for the castle, unsure of what was to come from this meeting with the ruler of Rosas.

XXXXXXXX

“Help me!” a voice called as it entered the kitchen, startling the woman with short black hair in a pink dress. The ponies froze for a moment in the doorway of the castle's kitchens, nervous that Asha was gonna rat them out. “Best friend and honorary doctor of all things rational, my interview is in one hour and I'm so nervous I think I'm going to explode,” Asha said as she quite literally power-walked in circles.

As one, all five ponies looked at Pipp. Feeling their stares, she looked up at her friends confused. “What?”

When they didn't say anything, it finally clicked. “Oh, come on. I do not act like that.”

She paused for a good minute before whispering. “What? I don't.”

Though, this part was with a bit of uncertainty. “Interview? What interview?” the woman asked with surprising calmness, though the ponies could tell she was trying, and failing, to hold back a smile.

“Dahlia?” Asha groaned with barely contained nerves.

“You mean the interview with our velvety sweet buttercream of a king,” Dahlia's smile seemed to grow with each moment.

However, this didn't seem to help Asha's nerves. “Oh, please don’t say it like that…”

Dahlia held up the spoon she was using to mix whatever was in the bowl. It looked like some kind of cookie dough to the ponies. “My best friend, the king's apprentice.”

“Izzy!” Hitch hissed in a whisper when he realized that Izzy was slowly sneaking towards the bowl, licking her lips. “What are you doing?!”

“Just one little lick...” Izzy whispered, inching closer to the bowl. “It smells soooo good.”

Izzy reached into the bowl while Dahlia was distracted, grabbed a tiny bit, but as she was lifting her hoof out, she accidentally knocked the bowl over. Everypony froze as Dahlia looked down, thoroughly confused. Misty put more energy into the spell, doing her best to keep them concealed.

“What the…?” Dahlia muttered. “D-Did you see that? The bowl just… knocked itself over…”

Suddenly, Asha was between Dahlia and the ponies, chuckling quite nervously. “D-Didn't you feel a small tremor? I certainly felt one. Maybe like… like a baby earthquake, you know. Umm… what were you saying?”

When Izzy rejoined her friends, they glared at her. Izzy shot them an apologetic smile but when she liked her hoof, her eyes lit up. “This is sooo good...”

“Izzy, we need to stay hidden,” Zipp scolded softly. “If someone catches us, we're sunk. Do you realize how serious this is?”

Izzy shrunk back and nodded, licking up the rest of the dough before the ponies went off to the rest of the side.

And seeing that the moment had passed, Asha felt her worries about her interview coming back to her immediately. “I’ll be famous. I have forgotten how to talk. I have no words. Is my mouth drooping? I feel like it’s drooping.”

She quickly did some mouth exercises before she quickly said, “Quick, ask me an interview question.”

“Okay, Asha, what's your weakness?” Dahlia asked calmly. “Weakness? Um… I get irrational when I'm nervous.” Asha answered, causing the ponies to look at Pipp with good-natured humor, who only chuckled nervously. “No,” Dahlia smiled at Asha. “You care too much.”

Asha blinked in surprise. “I do? Wait, Is that a weakness?”

“That's why it's perfect,” Dahlia answered smoothly. “You're welcome. Just relax. You're surrounded by friends.”

Dahlia took off a rag that was covering a baking sheet of freshly-baked cookies, making Izzy gasp. She was about to skip up to get one when Hitch quickly grabbed her to stop her, relieving the others. But man... did those cookies smell good. Izzy looked at them longingly, but controlled herself.

Some of the others, however, did not. One whiff of those cookies and everyone else in the kitchen stormed Dahlia and Asha, trying to get their hands on a cookie. “Wow…” Hitch whispered, impressed. “Those cookies must be as good as your smoothies, Sunny!”

“Yes. Yes they are...” Izzy said, longing for another cookie. “So yummy...”

Suddenly, Asha, who had her back turned to them, put her cookie behind her back, motioning for Izzy to come grab it before anyone saw. Izzy's face lit up and she skipped up softly, grabbed the cookie discreetly as Asha's friends were distracted, and split it six ways, one piece for each of her friends and herself.

The cookie melted in their mouths, putting them in bliss. “They're almost better than Grandma Figgy's cookies,” Hitch sighed, but when everypony looked at him in bewilderment, he shrugged. “What? I said almost.”

Izzy held out a piece to Misty who shook her head, concentrating on the spell. She wanted it, but she didn't think she could eat it right now.

And while the ponies ate their cookies, Asha continued to converse with her friends. “Oh, right,” said a short boy named Gabo, “your interview with the king. Hey, look at me. Don't worry. We'll be there for you when you fail.”

“Well, he's a real confidence booster,” Pipp muttered, causing Izzy to nod in agreement. “Gabo,” the woman with dark skin and a blue dress, named Hal, scolded softly. “Oh, there are the cookies!” a boy with a green shirt and a purple hat, named Dario, exclaimed as he pushed through his friends to grab a cookie off the sheet. “Oh, Safi sneezed on those,” Dahlia warned, but the man didn't seem fazed. He wrapped an arm around his friend who seemed to be allergic to lemon. “Oh, thanks,” he said before taking a big bite out of the contaminated cookie, making everyone and pony twist their mouths in disgust.

I mean, come on-- Izzy did some weird stuff in her time, but it never escalated to that kind of level. “Anyway,” said Gabo, trying to get that moment out of his mind, “I don’t blame you for trying to cheat the system.”

Asha looked taken aback by this claim. “What? I'm not trying to cheat at anything.”

“Come on,” Gabo said, clearly not believing Asha. “Everyone knows the racket. The King's apprentices get their wishes granted. And usually their family's wishes, too.”

Asha was about to speak when Dahlia interrupted her. “Not always.”

There was a moment they paused, shaking their heads to agree with Dahlia when seemed to realize something. “Maybe always.”

Sunny gasped, her eyes widening at this. If Asha got that position, maybe King Magnífico would be more open to granting her wish and saving their home!

They had to go to that interview and help Asha where they could. “Wait, isn't your Saba turning 100 today and still waiting?” Gabo pointed out. “What's a Saba?” Hitch whispered to Sunny, who shrugged, concentrating on what Asha and her friends were talkikg about. “Ignore him,” Dahlia said, but Gabo began waving his fingers, gaining their attention again. “Bah-bah-bah-bah-bah! Not to mention the fact that you're also turning 18.”

“Happy birthday!” Dario exclaimed. “In a few months…” Gabo finished. “Not today. And when you give your wish to the king, you don't wanna have to end up like Simon here, do you?”

He then gestured to a larger teenage boy, resting his head on the nearby table, and Simon wearily lifted his head when he heard bis name. “Huh? What's wrong with Simon here?”

“What isn't wrong with him is the better question…” Pipp muttered under her breath. “Pipp!” Zipp scolded in a whisper, causing Pipp to shrug. “Sorry, sis, but you gotta be honest during certain missions.”

“It's… I don't know… you're kind of boring now,” Gabo stated to Simon bluntly. “No offense.”

“Have I become boring?” Simon asked, looking as though he would cry. “Do… do you all think that?”

There was a moment of silence before Safi pretended to sneeze as Asha shook her head. “No, not boring. Just…”

“Calmer,” Dahlia finished when Asha trailed off. “Oh…” Simon muttered, still looking like he would cry. “Oh, Simon, don't worry. You're still you, and I bet you'll get your wish granted really soon,” Asha soothed, making the ponies wonder what really happened to a person when King Magnífico took that person's wish.

After a moment, the Mane 6 turned to each other to discuss their next move. “Maybe only one of us should go with Asha to her interview,” Zipp said as she studied Misty. “It looks like Misty's struggling with the spell.”

“It's not the spell itself. It's casting it on so many moving bodies for such a long time,” Misty corrected. “Still though. I agree with Zipp,” Hitch continued. “If you're gonna see the king, you can't take any chances.”

“I'll go. That way, if something happens, I can magic us out of there,” Sunny volunteered, the rest agreeing with a shrug. “But what about the rest of us?” Pipp asked. “Misty can't cast the spell on us if she isn't here with us.”

“I could help with that,” Hitch suddenly heard Valentino say in his deep voice.

Hitch looked at Valentino, a little startled. “Really? You know a place that we could hide in while Sunny and Misty go to Asha's interview?”

Valentino nodded before walking away. All of them looked at Hitch before he said, “Valentino wants us to follow him.”

“I'll make sure no one sees you leave,” Misty whispered. “We'll see you as soon as we can.”

The four ponies nodded before following Valentino out, opening the door as Queen Amaya, the beautiful and caring wife to King Magnifico himself, was about to walk in. Misty and Sunny tried to cough quietly, wondering where all the sudden flour in the air came from. Valentino and the four ponies snuck away behind the queen and out of sight, while everyone in the kitchen bowed and addressed her.

That's when Queen Amaya turned to look at Asha with a regal smile. “Asha, the King is ready for you.”

And honestly? Asha wasn't sure whether to be nervous or terrified by this news. “Now? Am I late? I thought I…”

“You're fine,” Queen Amaya reassured. “The last interview…”

Behind the queen, a door opened and a man came running out sobbing. “IT WAS A DISASTER!!!!”

And just like that, he had run off. “Finished early,” the queen said simply. “Shall we?”

Misty and Sunny glanced at each other nervously... the king had to be a pretty harsh critic for the last contender for the position to run out sobbing.

On the other hand, Asha tried to keep herself calm, taking deep breaths and trying to remember who she was doing this for… her family. She couldn’t let them down. “Oh, okay, I'm ready,” Asha said before turning around to her friend, whispering, “I am so not ready.”

Dahlia smiled comfortingly. “You're fine. Just don't touch anything. Don't forget to curtsy, and tell him I love him.”

Asha was nodding until she heard the last part. “What?”

“I'm kidding,” Dahlia said quickly. “Do not tell him that.”

“Great. Thank you. Thank you so much,” Asha said as she followed the queen out. And after they had finally left, Sunny turned to Misty. “You ready?”

Misty nodded before they both followed Asha out of the kitchen.

“Bye! Don't get your hopes up!” Gabo called after them before he got glared at by the rest of Asha's friends.

XXXXXXXX

“The apprentice should always keep the fire going because the king likes his tea hot,” Queen Amaya explained as she, Asha and the two ponies (still cloaked out of sight) climbed up the long flight of stairs. Asha nodded, trying to remember everything. She was not gonna mess up, especially since the queen herself was giving her pointers on how to succeed. “He also likes to talk. Quite a bit. Feel free to just listen.”

“Oh, I'm a good listener,” Asha said, wanting to show as much as possible that she was up to par. “Some items might seem strange,” Queen Amaya continued. “But why a sorcerer needs what a sorcerer needs is not your concern.”

“Right.”

“And, above all, do not expect to see the wishes. Don't even ask.”

“You can see wishes?” Misty whispered, mystified as Sunny shrugged slightly. “Yes, ma'am,” Asha said, mentally memorizing everything the queen had said. Her eyes widened when she realized how that sounded. “I mean, I won't, Your Majesty.”

“I'm rooting for you, Asha,” Amaya said as they stood outside a pair of double doors, and Asha's heart warmed knowing she had the queen's support. “You are?”

Amaya nodded, and while Asha was more than grateful, she wondered what set her apart from the others. “Thank you, ma'am. But… why?”

“Well, I see the way you look out for others. It's clear how much you love this kingdom and its people.”

Sunny and Misty smiled at that, proud of their new friend. From what they've already seen of her, she was bound to get the apprentice position.

And they were gonna support her all the way.

Asha took a deep breath before pushing open the doors to where the king was, and before the door closed, Misty and Sunny galloped inside after her, eager to see the king for themselves… and potentially see the wishes that Queen Amaya had mentioned before.

Misty and Sunny both sighed in relief when they made it through in time without giving themselves away, but when they looked up, they froze, their chests constricting in fear, their eyes wide.

Here they were so worried about Equestria, they never considered the possibility it would be here.

The final battle.

A part of Sunny was relieved. If she was here, she couldn't hurt anypony else. But also, she and her friends were sorely unprepared to fight a final battle with ice beings and a persuasive winged snow leopard, along with her rabbit sidekick.

And you may be wondering while I'm saying this, right?

Well, as it turns out, Allura was laying down on a plush pillow off in a far-off corner of the room, and Twitch was curled up under her wing.

Thank goodness the duo weren't able to see past Misty's invisibility spell, so Misty and Sunny were safe… at least, for now.

They slowly approached Asha, with Allura and Twitch asleep. Sunny nodded at Misty, and with a deep breath, she unveiled them.

Asha gasped upon seeing them. “What… I can see you guys now! But… where are the rest of you?”

“Valentino took them somewhere safe,” Sunny filled in with a whisper, and after she nodded, Asha caught sight of Misty, who looked really pale. “Are you okay?”

Misty nodded discreetly. “I'm fine. We just revealed ourselves to warn you.”

“Yeah,” Sunny continued. “Remember that snow leopard, Allura, and her sidekick, Twitch, we told you about earlier?”

Sunny nodded her head towards the sleeping pair. “That's them. Be careful. Don't trust them. They are evil and horrible creatures who only want to rule over everything.”

Asha looked over toward Allura and Twitch, seeing the star shard around Allura’s neck. “Is that the shard you told me about?”

“It is, but don't try and grab it from her. She's really protective of those shards and won't hesitate to use her magic,” Misty whispered. “We'll be cloaked and waiting here if we need to swoop in.”

Asha nodded, looking around the room, keeping an eye on Allura, reading some of the book titles to herself.

Fire Magic... The History of Spells... it was all so intriguing. Even Misty was impressed by the vast collection, since she only one spellbook back home.

That was when Asha caught sight of a huge book, one that seemed to draw her in. It was in a glass case, with symbols written around it. Something about those symbols felt familiar.

But before she could get closer, a tall, handsome tan-skinned man with pale blue eyes and gray hair, along with clothes with the colors of white and gold and wearing beige poulaine loafer turn shoes, came over quickly to stop her. “No no, no no. Asha, that book is forbidden.”

Misty gasped, quickly cloaking herself and Sunny and they backed out of the way before they were spotted by the king, who was just as handsome as his statue depicted. And at the sound of Magnífico's voice, Allura and Twitch woke up. “Oh, hi. I was just, um…” Asha put a hand on the glass, but as soon as she did, magical electricity began crackling around the glass, startling Asha, making her shriek in surprise. “What's happening?!”

“Well, I put a spell on the… on the glass,” Magnífico explained with a small smile of amusement. Even Allura and Twitch chuckled a bit. “Well, I just thought the etchings were pretty,” Asha said as she tried to swat away the etchings that had somehow come to life. Invisible, Sunny tried to help her, but to no avail, for the etchings continued to assault Asha.

“Yes,” the king continued, “but the book… the book is dangerous.”

“Ow! Then why have it?” Asha asked as she struggled with the etchings. “A king must be prepared for everything. Hold on.” He said as he approached Asha. But Asha continued to swat and bat at the etchings, losing a shoe in the process. “Hold still, hold still.” Magnífico demanded with a small chuckle. He grabbed hold of the etchings and threw them at the glass and just like that, everything was back to normal.

That was when Sunny finally got a good look of Magnífico and her jaw dropped. That's why the statue was so familiar. She'd seen this man before.

The vision flashed through her mind. This man… he was helping Allura. That's why Allura and Twitch were here.

Sunny's heart stopped as a realization came to her. She… she couldn't ask Magnífico for help. If he was working for Allura, er…with Allura, the less he knew about Equestria, the better.

But still, not only would Sunny and her friends haven't to deal with Allura's ice army, but now they'd have to deal with a powerful sorcerer with a dangerous book too? This was just getting worse and worse, wasn't it?

King Magnífico sighed heavily after the incident with the etchings. “A bit of exercise.”

But a second or two later, the King froze when he saw Asha. Confused, Misty and Sunny followed his gaze to see Asha still swatting, but since the etchings were now gone, she was batting at empty air. “Um, Asha?” the king looked at her. “Are you okay?”

“No, I…” Asha trailed off when she realized the fool she was making of herself, swatting at empty air. “I‐I mean, yes.”

Asha crossed her arms in front of her, plastering on a nervous smile. “And I understand if you want me to leave and never show my face again.”

“Yes,” Sunny muttered pleadingly, her voice a quiet whisper. “Please. He's not safe.”

“Sunny? What… what are you talking about?” Misty asked, her voice as quiet as Sunny's, but Sunny didn't answer, continuing her observations of the scene in front of them. “Oh please, let's not overreact. You're here. You've certainly got my attention,” King Magnífico said, brushing off Asha's worry as Allura and Twitch came forward. “I'd like to introduce you to Allura. The newest member of the king's council… and her sidekick, Twitch.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Allura said in that seductive voice of hers, holding out her paw. “I must say, out of all the applicants, you are my favorite.”

Asha remembered what Sunny and Misty told her about Allura and Twitch, but then again… the snow leopard was being rather friendly, and the king seemed to trust her for whatever reason, so… it wouldn’t hurt to be polite back. “Thank you,” Asha said with a slight tremor, taking Allura's paw and shaking it. “That means a lot to hear you say that.”

“Well, go ahead. Tell me why you think you should be my apprentice,” King Magnífico said, walking around his study while Allura and Twitch sat nearby, observing Asha carefully. “Okay, well…” Asha slid in behind Magnífico, saying the first thing that came to mind. “I care too much.”

Sunny slapped her hoof on her face at this, realizing Asha's nerves were starting to escalate. “Okay, that's interesting,” King Magnífico said, a bit confused to this response. “It's my weakness,” Asha amended, making Sunny groan softly. “Figured I might as well get through all the bad stuff right up front.”

“Fair enough. And your strengths?” Allura asked, an eyebrow raised. “Glad you asked,” Asha said before trying to make herself look less… nervous. “I’m a quick learner and a hard worker, and I help well. Heh heh… and I’m young, so I’m malleable, but not too young so that I’m too malleable. Oh, and I like to draw!”

Asha pulled out a notebook, grabbing the corner of the pages and flipping through them, showing an animal running in place. “Is this anything?”

“Um… what am I looking at?” Allura asked, squinting at it, leaving Asha to explain. “It's a goat. It's hopping!”

Twitch oohed and ahhed at the sight of the little goat hopping as Asha flipped the pages, clapping his paws in amazement. “You're too easily impressed, you know that?” Allura muttered to Twitch with a ghost of a smile, causing Twitch to stop clapping and merely nod to Asha, causing her to slightly giggle. “That is a… unique talent,” King Magnífico said before turning to Allura. “Do we call that a talent?”

“Oh, well, it’s just something my father taught me,” Asha said with a slight shrug. That's when King Magnifico hummed in thought. “I think I remember your father.”

Asha looked at him in awe. “Really?”

The king nodded to this remark. “He was a philosopher, wasn’t he? Always talking about the stars.”

Asha looked at one of the pages in her notebook with a sort of... sad smile. “We used to climb that tree on the high ridge, where it becomes just you and the stars. You know, he'd say, ‘The stars are there to guide us, to inspire us, to remind us to believe in the possibility’.”

Misty watched as Asha talked about her father, and her eyes wandered to Allura, and she couldn’t help but blink when she saw the look on Allura's face the more Asha talked about her father. She couldn't read it, but it was different from the evil look Misty was so used to seeing on her. Was it longing? Something else? Misty couldn't tell. And, honestly, Misty didn't know what to think about it.

It was… strange.

Eventually, Misty turned her attention back to Asha, and her smile was becoming much sadder than it was before. “Well, even when he was sick, he’d take me out at night to dream. All I dreamed about was him getting better.”

“How…” Allura cleared her throat, blinking rapidly as Twitch patted her paw soothingly. “How old were you when he passed?”

“Twelve,” Asha answered, not taking her eyes off the page in her notebook. “That's not fair, is it?” King Magnífico asked, also seeming touched by her story, and there was a slight pause before Magnífico continued. “When I was young, I too suffered great loss.”

Misty and Sunny spared each other a glance to this. “I… I didn't know that,” Asha stammered, confused, but her sympathy soon won out. “I'm sorry.”

“My entire family. Our lands were destroyed by selfish, greedy thieves. Hmm, if only I'd known magic then…” King Magnífico took a deep breath before continuing. “You see, I founded this kingdom so there would be a place where everyone is safe. Asha, no one should ever have to see their dreams destroyed before their eyes.”

“No one should have to live their life feeling the pain of that loss every day,” Asha agreed. “And that's why I do what I do,” King Magnífico said, and this caused Asha to nod. “And that's why I want to work for you.”

Sunny swallowed, at a loss for what to do. King Magnífico… he seemed so amazing. He seemed like he cared for the people of Rosas. Really cared for them, like Sunny cared for the ponies of Equestria. But… he was working with Allura. But, maybe he was working with her without truly knowing who she was. Or maybe he was under her spell.

Sunny couldn't imagine this man just being evil. There had to be an explanation for this. There just had to be. “Come with me,” King Magnífico said after a moment of silence. He walked away, and for a moment, Asha just stood there, confused, before quickly following him. Misty and Sunny followed closely behind, hurrying past Allura and Twitch, when Twitch caught something peculiar.

A strange, yet familiar, scent. But it wasn't Asha or the king... it was... something else. And it was really close.

Magnífico opened a set of double doors without even touching them. They all walked into a room with beakers and tubes, as though there was scientific testing going on inside. “You're one of the very few I have ever invited in here,” King Magnifico spoke. “But if I'm to trust you, I need to know you understand just how important they are.”

“They?” Asha asked, causing King Magnífico to look upward toward the ceiling. “The wishes of Rosas.”

Sunny and Misty looked up and gasped in amazement. They were in a domed room, but it wasn’t the room that made them gasp in utter awe. It was the hundreds of blue orbs that floated in the air above them like beautiful crystalline stars.

But something about them… something about them called to Sunny. It was like… she looked at them and she somehow saw the essence of every living creature who had a wish up there. It was like she could hear their unanimous heart beating as one, and yet, they were a million little hearts that were so delicate… so precious. It was like their fragility made her stronger somehow, made her more determined to protect them with everything she had.

Like, if she failed, she didn’t just fail as an alicorn or a Guardian. She failed as a pony. She failed as a creature with her own beating heart. Like her sole reason for existing was to protect these precious bundles of joy.

Even Allura and Twitch were amazed by what was above them, their villainous thoughts pushed aside as they took in the wonder of the wishes. The presence of peace that filled every creature in the room was almost overwhelming, in its own way.

Misty looked down at Sunny's flank when something caught the corner of her eye and she gasped when she saw Sunny's cutie mark glowing. The soft, golden outline of Sunny's alicorn form began to appear, but only just that, as if they refused to fully form.

King Magnifico chuckled at Allura, Twitch and Asha’s reactions to the wishes, since he couldn’t see Sunny and Misty. “You can feel them already, can’t you?”

“They are… everything,” Asha muttered in complete awe before realizing what she had said. “Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

“No, no, that’s it,” King Magnifico said with a smile. “They are everything.”

Sunny couldn’t help but agree with this statement. That was the exact way to describe them. Everything. They were the embodiment of life. They were the embodiment of happiness. They were the embodiment of love.

“Even I never expected these small, delicate wishes to be so… alive,” Allura said as an orb floated past her. “As if they have a livelihood all their own.”

Magnifico chuckled as some of the floating orbs came down and floated just above his palms. “Yes. You see,” Magnifico explained, “people think wishes are just ideas. But no, no, they are a part of your heart. The very best part.”

That’s when Magnifico turned his attention to the wishes around him, before softly starting to sing.

King Magnifico: If happiness was a tangible thing
It would be you
If you'd have told me
The feeling you'd bring

I'd think it untrue
And people search for a wonder like you
All of their lives
You still amaze me after all this time

You pull me in like some kind of wind
Mesmerized by the hold I'm in
Leave you here, I don't wanna
I wanna

Promise as one does
I, I will protect you at all costs
Keep you safe here in my arms
I, I will protect you at all costs
At all costs

Tears came to Sunny’s eyes as the orbs floated around them, overwhelmed by the pure joy that emanated from each and every one of them. Suddenly, Misty watched as Sunny’s alicorn form burst to life in a flash of beautiful gold as she felt the need to protect them at all costs grow stronger and stronger.

Asha: What's pain when I look at you?
No way I could explain you
Even if I tried to, I'll never dream like I used to do
If someone tried to hurt you, I don't

See how that could happen
I'd fight for you in ways you can't imagine
Felt this? No, I haven't, I hope
It would be all right to stay right here beside you

Asha and King Magnifico: And promise as one does
I, I will protect you at all costs
Keep you safe here in my arms
I, I will protect you at all costs
At all costs

If you're ever feeling like you're lost
I'll come find you
Man all fronts
There's no ocean I won't swim across

To be right by you
And not just once
Here and now, I swear on my response
I'll remind you

And promise as one does
I, I will protect you at all costs
Keep you safe here in my arms
I, I will protect you at all costs
At all costs

After King Magnifico and Asha sang the bridge of the chorus, for a small, peaceful moment, everything was muted for Sunny. As though the world was talking through a pillow or a wall.

Sunny’s cutie mark began to glow as she flew into the air, causing Misty to panic as she put in more and more energy in keeping Sunny and herself out of sight, but it was much harder with Sunny moving around. Sunny, however, was completely oblivious to her friend’s struggle and couldn’t help but join with her own words, her cutie mark magic keeping her voice silent to the wrong ears.

Sunny: Nothing prepared me for what you would do
But I'll make sure you come true
Just as he'd want me to

Sunny, Asha and King Magnifico: And promise as one does
I, I will protect you at all costs
Keep you safe here in my arms
I, I will protect you at all costs
At all costs

If you're ever feeling like you're lost
I'll come find you
Man all fronts
There's no ocean I won't swim across

To be right by you
And not just once
Here and now, I swear on my response
I'll remind you

And promise as one does
I, I will protect you at all costs
Keep you safe here in my arms
I, I will protect you at all costs
At all costs

As the song came to an end, Misty couldn’t put any more energy into the spell. Her eyes flickered open and closed before she put one more burst of energy into the spell and fell to the ground in an unconscious heap.

Sunny suddenly became visible in the air and when Asha looked up and right at her, Sunny’s own eyes widened. “Oh no…”

She looked down to see Misty on the floor unconscious and her own heart raced in fear. She flew down to her friend, lit her alicorn horn, and quickly teleported out of the room, thinking of Hitch so that she and Misty both would appear where he was.

As the two of them disappeared, the flash of gold caught another’s eye... Twitch.

He turned his head, but didn’t see anyone there. He narrowed his eyes, sure of what he saw.

XXXXXXXX

“Ugh, how much longer can that interview take?” Pipp groaned as she, Hitch, Zipp and Izzy waited in the large closet for Asha, Sunny and Misty to return. “They’ve been gone forever!”

“Pipp?” Zipp looked at her sister in surprise. “It’s only been 10 minutes.”

“I have to agree with Pipp. When I interviewed for the sheriff position,” Hitch said, “I only had a short five minute interview. This one… seems to be taking ages.”

Zipp looked at Hitch with a raised eyebrow. “Your cutie mark is a shield with a star. I think it’s pretty obvious what you’re supposed to do in life.”

Suddenly, a flash of gold caught them offguard, and the others looked surprised to see Sunny in her alicorn form, carrying an unconscious Misty in her magic. “Sunny! Misty!” Zipp cried. “What happened?!”

“I-I think she put too much power into keeping the spell going,” Sunny said as she landed with Misty. “She must’ve got knocked out!”

“But how?! Sure, she seemed tired when you guys left, but she still looked alright. How could she decline so quickly?!” Hitch asked, confused. Sunny looked away, her ears flattening against her head in shame. “I…I think that might be my fault. I forgot to stay as still as possible and close to her and I think she passed out from trying to extend the spell to me.”

“Oh, Sunny… it’s gonna be okay,” Izzy said gently, trying to comfort Sunny as best she could. “She’s gonna wake up soon, right, Hitchie-Poo?”

“Yeah. I think,” Hitch immediately took charge, having medical experience from his training to be sheriff. “She’s sweating. She needs something to eat and drink for energy when she wakes up. And we need to lay her on her back. Keep her legs slightly elevated, and she should wake up any second.”

“Come on, Misty…” Pipp whispered. “Come back to us…”

“Zipp, I need your maximum sneakiness on hoof here,” Hitch said. “Do you remember the way back to the kitchens?”

When Zipp nodded, Hitch continued his instructions. “Alright, I need you to sneak back in there and not get caught and get Misty something to eat and drink. Remember this above all else-- don’t. Get. Caught.”

Zipp nodded and snuck out of the closet without further hesitation. Slowly, Misty opened her eyes, groaning groggily. She tried to sit up, but Hitch gently pushed her back down. “Hey, you’re okay. You’re alright. Just stay laying down, alright? Don’t sit up yet.”

“W-W-What happened…?” Misty asked. “I-Is Sunny…?”

“I’m okay, Misty,” Sunny said gently. “I’m sorry I caused you to get so tired. I guess… I couldn’t control my emotions and I kinda got out of hoof.”

“I-It’s okay… Sunny…” Misty said wearily, feeling dizzy and tired. “You… you were beautiful… up there with… all those wishes. With… with your cutie mark… glowing.”

“Wishes?” Hitch looked bewildered. “You mean… you saw the wishes that Asha mentioned on the tour?”

Sunny nodded. “Yeah. Oh, you should’ve seen them Hitch! They were so beautiful and… and alive.”

“Alive?” Pipp asked in confusion. “How can wishes be alive?”

“I don’t know, but they were. Oh, they were SO beautiful,” Sunny said. “They were the epitome of happiness and love and… and seeing them I felt nothing but… peace. It was like every dream… your every fantasy came true.”

“That sounds so… dreamy…” Izzy sighed happily.

Zipp flew back into the closet with an apple and a glass of water. “Oh, good, Misty-- you’re up!” she sighed in relief. “Here, eat and drink. It’ll help you get your strength back.”

“But what about Asha?” Misty groaned, still looking worried but not as tired as before. “A-Allura… Twitch…”

“Hold up,” Pipp held up a hoof. “W-What’s that about old furball and her rabbit sidekick?”

“Oh my gosh! I almost forgot!” Sunny gasped. “Somehow, she managed to worm her and Twitch into the castle, and she’s up there with Asha, King Magnifico and the wishes!”

The rest of them gasped in surprise as they suddenly feared for Asha’s safety.

XXXXXXXX

“You know, Asha,” said King Magnifico after a moment, “I would love to see someone wish to be the best apprentice a mighty sorcerer has ever had. What do you say?”

Asha stared down at the wish she was holding, her beautiful Saba’s wish, but she remained silent. “Asha?” King Magnifico prompted when Asha didn’t say anything. “Dear?” Allura called out to her, looking rather confused and suspicious. “What are you looking at?”

“It’s my Saba Sabino’s wish,” Asha muttered lovingly. “It’s his birthday today and he’s 100 years old.”

Allura tilted her head and approached, eyeing the small wish with curiosity. “That’s… impressive. My grandfather never lived to be that old. But then again… I only met him one time.”

Twitch sighed sympathetically and placed his paw on Allura’s leg, trying to comfort her.

“Your Majesty,” Asha began again, turning to the king, “um… would you maybe consider granting his wish tonight?”

King Magnifico looked at Asha with a little smirk. “Well, that was fast, wasn’t it?” he chuckled. “You know, most people wait a few months, even a year, before they start asking me for things.”

Asha felt her face heat up in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. I did not mean to…”

“No, no, it’s okay, it’s okay,” the king reassured. “Here, let me see the wish.”

Asha gave Magnifico the wish and the king studied it for a few moments. And after a moment, Allura let forth a sliver of a smile. “It truly is a beautiful wish.”

“Beautiful…” the king agreed with a nod before he became more stern after a moment. “But unfortunately, it’s too dangerous.”

Asha looked at him in confusion, as did Allura and Twitch. “Dangerous?”

“Your Saba longs to create something to inspire the next generation,” the king explained. “Great wish but too vague. Create what? A rebellious mob, perhaps? To inspire them to… to do what? Uh, destroy Rosas, maybe?”

“My Saba would never do anything to hurt anyone,” Asha said firmly.

“You think you know that,” King Magnifico countered with a shrug. “I know that,” Asha argued, glaring at Magnifico.

“Well, you’re young. You don’t know anything really,” the king said as he threw the wish up into the air and with a wave of his hand, the rest of the wishes floated up back to the ceiling high in the room. Everything suddenly felt… emptier and… duller than it had before. “Whereas it is my responsibility,” King Magnifico continued, “to only grant the wishes I am sure are good for Rosas.”

“So,” Asha started, looking up at all the wishes above them, “most of these wishes will never be granted?”

King Magnifico was at his table, pouring in liquids and making something that looked like some kind of potion. “Yet, I still protect them like all the others.”

“Can’t you just… give them back instead?” Asha asked, thinking of how much her friend Simon changed after Magnifico took his wish.

“Excuse me?” the king asked, freezing at her suggestion. Allura and Twitch watched the tension build silently, not sure what to think.

“The wishes you’re not gonna grant, you could just give them back,” Asha repeated, wondering why that was such a ridiculous suggestion.

It sounded completely fair and understandable to Asha.

Why was Magnifico so weird about it?

Allura hummed in thought. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I don’t believe that’s how the king’s laws work.”

“Well, I don’t know,” Asha shrugged innocently, “but I was just thinking that maybe… the people could just pursue them themselves and if they really are dangerous, they can… be stopped. But if they’re not--”

“You’ve completely missed the point,” King Magnifico interrupted, his voice growing more and more frustrated as he added more and more things to the cauldron. “People come here because they know they can’t make their own dreams come true. The journey is too hard. Too unfair. They give their wishes to me-- willingly. And I make it so they forget their worries.”

“You make it so they forget the most beautiful part of themselves,” Asha argued, putting her hands to her chest. “And they don’t know what they’re missing. But you do.”

Asha began taking steps towards Magnifico. “And I do. And it’s not fair.”

And by this point, Asha was on the verge of tears. “My Saba is good. The people of Rosas are good. And they deserve more than--”

“I DECIDE WHAT EVERYONE DESERVES!” King Magnifico snapped, startling even Allura and Twitch. Twitch scurried behind Allura and Allura stood in front of him protectively, not sure how Magnifico would react, having her gift ready.

It didn’t take long for Queen Amaya to come into the room, having heard the shout of her husband. “Mi rey?” she called out, trying to hide her concern. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time for the ceremony.”

“Is it, my love?” Magnífico asked with a smile, changing moods like one would change clothes. He looked back at Asha with a warm smile, as though nothing happened, but there was a small warning deep in his eyes that made Asha's breath catch. “Hmm… seat Asha with you on the main stage.”

Asha's eyes widened momentarily and she turned to the queen. “Oh, no. No, no. It's okay,” She quickly tried to deny, no longer feeling comfortable around Magnífico, but the King turned back to her, stopping her. “I insist,” King Magnifico said firmly, in a tone that made it very clear to those who were in the room when the fight happened that there was no room for discussion. That Asha was going to sit on that stage and that was that.

King Magnífico walked away, leaving Asha to internally panic.

She didn't know what was going to happen at that ceremony, but she knew it DEFINITELY wasn't going to be good.

XXXXXXXX

“Do you think we should go check on Asha?” Hitch asked as Sunny paced nervously in front of the door. “It’s been a really long time, and with Allura and Twitch up there with her…”

“Not until Misty’s strength is back up,” Zipp said firmly. “She needs all the strength she can to cast that spell over us so we’re out of sight.”

“How are you, Misty?” Pipp asked in concern. “Do you feel okay?”

Misty nodded with a smile. “I feel a lot better after a little rest and some food. But… Izzy? Sunny? I’ll need more help to cast the spell going forward, so if we need to split up, we have more around to keep the spell going.”

Sunny nodded. “Most definitely. But first, we have to learn the spell. Do you think you can teach us without actually doing it?”

“I… I think so. But… it's not easy and takes a lot of concentration,” Misty replied, her voice already stronger. “Better hurry,” Hitch said as he listened to something in the hallway. “I think I hear someone coming!”

Misty nodded, sitting up a bit more, turning to face Izzy and Sunny. “Okay…first close your eyes. Calm your emotions. Focus. Find your center. Channel your magic.”

Sunny and Izzy did as they were told. It took a little bit, and a whole lot of breathing, but soon, they were able to calm their emotions and find their center. Sunny realized that she couldn't think about her worries for Equestria, or Allura, or anything else that worried her. She began to realize why talking about Opaline made Misty's spell falter.

“Now, open your eyes and look at your surroundings. Imagine them being the only thing you see. Imagine yourself disappearing in a sea of nothing…”

“Better hurry,” Hitch warned. “Those footsteps are getting closer.”

“You are nothing. Your friends are nothing. The only things that exist are your surroundings. You are no more. Sunny does not exist. Izzy does not exist. Just a sea of nothing.”

Suddenly, Izzy and Sunny disappeared, not able to be seen by their friends. Zipp, Pipp, and Hitch gasped while Misty smiled proudly, though it was small and weak. But it was most definitely there.

Izzy and Sunny tried not to get too excited, keeping their emotions calm and still, trying their best to stay focused, though it wasn't easy.

Misty then took this chance to teach them how to extend the spell to others. “Now, imagine those thoughts extended to the rest of us. Izzy, you focus on Pipp and Zipp. Sunny, focus on me and Hitch. We are nothing. We are no more. We do not exist. We are just a sea of nothingness.”

Suddenly, to the four of them, Izzy and Sunny could be seen. Without Asha there to tell them it worked, they had no idea if Sunny and Izzy accidentally stopped casting the spell, or if it really did extend.

They swallowed nervously as the handle to the doorknob turned and realized they had to trust the spell worked. Especially Sunny and Izzy. Because if they allowed themselves to doubt, it would mess up the spell, if it was even cast in the first place. No. It was. They had to trust that it was.

Asha peeked her head inside, trying to find the ponies. “Sunny? Hitch? Guys?”

“Asha? Can you see us?” Zipp asked. When Asha shook her head, Izzy and Sunny let their excitement get the best of them and suddenly, Asha could see them all. When she looked right at them, Sunny realized their mistake. “Oops. I… guess we need to work on that.”

“Are you okay, Asha?” Izzy asked. “Did Allura get you?”

“No, I’m fine,” Asha said, “but… we’re heading to the wish ceremony now. You guys should probably head out to the stage.”

Pipp and Sunny's eyes widened, though for very different reasons. “Stage?!” Pipp exclaimed with a huge smile.

“S-Stage?!” Sunny also said at the same time, but her voice trembled in fear. “In front of all those people? I-I don't think Izzy and I are ready… if we mess up… everyone will know we exist. Magnífico… Asha, you said…”

Sunny stopped when she felt a hoof on her shoulder, realizing it was Hitch. “Hey. It's okay. Misty's feeling a bit better and Izzy will take some of us while you take the other. It won't be nearly as hard as it was with Misty.”

“He’s right, Sunny,” Zipp nodded. “We’ll be fine. Just put us under the spell again and we’ll follow Asha. We have to figure out what Allura’s planning.”

Sunny sighed and nodded, realizing they were right. They had to at least try.

So, Sunny and Izzy put the ponies under the invisibility spell again and cautiously followed Asha out of the closet.

XXXXXXXX

A trumpet fanfare played as the crowd gathered around the stage, all of them cheering and laughing in joy and anticipation. The crowd grew louder as Magnífico jumped on stage and magic sparkles over the crowd, as they danced in the air, making the crowd go wild. “Are you ready, Rosas?!”

Asha sat by the queen, who looked calm and serene, while Asha was scared stiff, and looked it too. The ponies were right next to her, and since no one seemed to notice them, it was safe to say the spell worked.

Sunny kept her eyes closed, trying to ignore the sound of the crowd, keeping her emotions in check. But she knew Allura was there, and it made her heart race in fear. A fear she had to keep buried unless she wanted to doom her friends.

Allura, on the other hand, sat on the other side of the stage with Twitch, her mind… seemingly somewhere else before she snapped to attention and looked at King Magnifico addressing his subjects. “Another beautiful night in my kingdom,” the king said. “So good to see you. Good to be seen. First things first. We have two new citizens ready to give their wishes.”

Two people, a young couple as it seemed, walked up onto the stage, looking nervous and excited at the same time. “Helena, Estaban,” the king continued, “You're going to be very happy here, I promise you. Now make a wish and hold it in your heart.”

As Helena and Estaban closed their eyes and made their wish. Misty watched with sad eyes as she watched a golden light come out of the chests of the couple. It was like she was seeing something… die inside of them. And the expressions on their faces, it reminded her so much of her own expression when she served Opaline.

That longing. That knowledge that your dreams, your wish, was entirely in someone else's hands, and there was nothing you could do but hope you made them happy enough so they wouldn't break it. That… dependence on them.

It was the same dependence Misty had with Opaline. She wasn't certain about how things worked here in Rosas, but she knew that kind of dependence wasn't right. It didn't give them freedom. It made them captives.

Asha, however, felt like her eyes were opened for the very first time. Her whole life, she watched people give their wishes with wonder, counting down the days until she turned eighteen, and she'd be standing where the couple was, happily giving her wish.

But now… now it felt different.

Like they were losing the part of them that made them… them. And knowing that wish would probably never be granted, only made it that much harder.

Allura and Twitch watched this from their side of the stage, and needless to say… they were enamored. “Oh my, Twitch…” Allura said in a soft tone. “I wouldn’t have believed such a thing would be possible if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”

Twitch nodded by her side, his eyes wide, not taking his eyes off the couple and Magnífico. “It's a real weight off, isn't it?” King Magnifico asked with a smile as the couple stared longingly at their wishes. He glanced at Asha and she gulped nervously, clearly reading his look.

Zipp saw it too, and instantly knew something was very wrong. “Forget without regret. Whoo!” the man cheered. That's when King Magnifico turned back to the rest of the crowd, a smile forming on his face. “Okay then, who is ready to have their wish granted?”

The crowd cheered loudly in celebration, practically jumping over themselves to be seen by the king. Asha bit her lip, knowing this couldn’t end well. “Which one do you think the king will pick?” Izzy whispered in excitement. “I don't know,” Zipp shook her head. “Maybe it'll be Asha's grandfather!”

Asha shook her head, hearing every word that the ponies were saying. “No. I blew that chance. If it even had a chance to begin with.”

The ponies looked at each other, confused. They could all hear the slight resentment in her tone and the way her voice shook with a little bit of fear. What could have happened during her interview?

They turned their attention back to the king, who silenced the crowd for a moment so he could speak. “I have been challenged today to take a chance and try something new,” the king said as he turned back to Asha. “Thank you, Asha.”

Pipp pranced in place with a silent giggle, feeling that this was going to be Asha’s big moment.

Only Misty and Sunny noticed the way she seemed to squirm uncomfortably in her seat, the way she tried to get smaller, as though that would keep her from being noticed by anyone in the crowd. The way she wouldn’t look at anyone.

Sunny and Misty glanced at each other, each with nervous and worried expressions while the rest of their friends smiled in anticipation, happy to see their newest friend’s dream come true.

That's when the king continued to give his speech to the overly-excited crowd. “And it is with clarity and an open heart full of love that I grant today’s wish to someone who has very patiently waited long enough.”

Pipp couldn’t conceal her squeal of excitement as they watched with wide eyes for a beautiful wish to be granted. “It’s gotta be Sabino! It has to be!”

“Sania Osman!”

The ponies' faces fell as the name sunk in. A woman in a blue dress exclaimed excitedly, hurrying up to the stage. They were… confused. After everything, they were so certain…

As Magnífico granted Sonia's wish, the ponies looked at Asha questioningly, who was almost on the verge of tears. “Asha?” Zipp whispered in concern. “What's going on?”

“Yeah, I thought your grandfather was a shoe in to have his wish granted,” Hitch said in confusion. “Magnifico certainly made it seem that way. What happened?” Pipp added. But Asha remained quiet, turning her face away from the Equestrians.

The ponies were about to ask what was wrong again, but that’s when they saw a shadow fall over them. They quickly clamped their mouths shut, looking up to see King Magnifico staring down at Asha with a distasteful look. “Obviously, I will not be offering you the position as my apprentice,” he said, and the look on his face, plus his tone… were almost… patronizing. “But… but don’t worry. I will still protect your Saba’s wish and your mother’s… forever.”

He walked away, leaving Asha and the ponies alone. The ponies looked at each other, the way he said forever obviously meaning more context than they were given. They looked at Asha, who had a look of absolute devastation plastered onto her face.

The Mane 6 had no idea what was going on, but they knew one thing.

Rosas was definitely not the happy place it appeared to be.

Author's Note

Wow, this is definitely one of the longest chapters I've ever done for a story-- I owe Willow everything for her help!