Friendship is Marty Stu

"My first plan is this: since this group wants all the magic, they will get it - at a certain price. Of course, the damage will be eliminated, and the magic will be present. However, the spells of using and interacting with it will have to be redone."

What do you mean by that, Cheater? How will we stop them from causing havoc if their spells are restored? - Twilight Sparkle asked.

"Imagine a steam engine that regularly performs its function. What happens if at one moment the steam pressure in the system rises above, to put it mildly, the "supercritical" limit."

Twilight's eyes widened in intrigue as she pondered over Cheater's metaphor. "So, you're suggesting we overload their system, so to speak? Make the magic too much for them to handle?" she asked, her intellect racing with the strategic implications. She tapped her chin with a hoof, her horn glowing a thoughtful blue. "But how would we ensure that the magic is not only restored, but also regulated in a way that prevents them from using it for nefarious purposes?" Twilight's gaze grew intense, the gears of her mind working in overdrive. "And what would be the price for us, or for Equestria?"

Cheater leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile playing at the edge of his lips. "Ah, Twilight, always the strategist," he said, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "The price they'll pay is their own greed and misunderstanding of true power. As for the regulation, I have a plan that involves an artifact of ancient Equestria, lost to time. It's called the Crystal of Harmony. If we can retrieve it and harness its essence, we might just be able to create a new balance of power, one that prevents misuse while keeping the magic flowing." He leaned forward, his tone turning serious. "But the path to the crystal is fraught with danger and deception. It's not just the physical journey that will challenge us, but the trials of friendship we'll face along the way. The prophecy speaks of a 'guardian of truth' who will reveal the way. Could it be one of us?"

Twilight's eyes narrowed as she considered the information. "The Crystal of Harmony, you say?" she mused, tapping a hoof to the table. "We've encountered it before, but how will it help us now?" She paused, her gaze drifting to her friends. "And what do you mean by 'guardian of truth'? Could it be a pony we know, or perhaps a creature we've yet to meet?"

"Ah, the Crystal of Harmony," Cheater said, his voice filled with reverence. "A relic of old, indeed. It's not just a source of power, but a beacon of harmony that can purify and balance the forces it touches. With it, we can reconstruct the spells and artifacts of the invaders in a way that protects Equestria, rather than threaten it." His eyes searched the group, landing on Twilight. "As for the guardian, it's an enigma wrapped in a riddle. The prophecy speaks of a creature whose heart is true, whose voice is unyielding, and whose courage is unshakeable."

Twilight leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "How do we find this 'guardian of truth'? And what kind of trials will we face on this journey?" She looked at her friends, their expressions a mirror of her own determination. "We must be prepared for anything."

"The creature in the prophecy could well mean either me or another pony. If the first is the case, I will be required to share or, at the very last, sacrifice godlike powers. If the latter, perhaps they meant Sunset Shimmer. In any case, you should find out the details from the existing Elements of Harmony"

Twilight Sparkle: Sunset Shimmer? But she's in Equestria! How would she be involved?

"It seems to be a coincidence that the Cozy Glow and the Sunset Shimmer are promising students, only for some reason the first was revealed as a monster in a child's guise, and the second as a deluded teenager"

Twilight's brow furrowed in thought. "Sunset Shimmer," she murmured. "Could she truly be the 'guardian of truth' the prophecy speaks of?" She glanced at the Elements of Harmony, displayed on the table before her. "But how do we determine who the prophecy refers to, and what role they are to play?"

"Ask the elements of harmony directly."

Twilight Sparkle: I've never heard of the Elements speaking to us outside of their bearers, but it's worth a try. *Twilight approaches the Elements, her horn glowing a soft, inquiring light.* Elements of Harmony, we seek the truth. Please, guide us to the guardian mentioned in the prophecy.

As Twilight's horn touches the Elements, they resonate with a gentle hum. The light from her horn intensifies, and a soft, ethereal glow envelops the room. The Elements begin to levitate, spinning slowly in a mesmerizing dance. Suddenly, the light coalesces into a single, pulsing beam that shoots upward, piercing the library's ceiling and painting the sky with an array of colors. The beam then arcs back down and strikes the center of Ponyville, where a small figure, unmistakable by her radiant mane and tail, stands alone.

Twilight's eyes widened in awe as she watched the Elements of Harmony react to her inquiry. The light show outside was like nothing she had ever seen before. "It's... it's Sunset Shimmer," she gasped, her thoughts racing. "But how? Why would she be the guardian of truth?" Her friends exchanged puzzled glances, their concerns growing. Rainbow Dash broke the silence with a determined nod. "If the Elements say it's her, then it's gotta be true. We've got to go to her."

The Elements of Harmony continued their dance, their light swirling around the room before finally settling back down onto the table. Cheater watched the display with a thoughtful expression, stroking his chin. "Indeed," he murmured. "The path is clear." He stood up, his cloak fluttering around him. "We must prepare to seek her counsel. Time is of the essence, and the trials we face are bound to be perilous." He looked at the maned six, his gaze intense. "Are you ready to face the unknown for the sake of Equestria?"

The six friends exchanged determined glances. Rainbow Dash stepped forward, her wings unfurling. "We're with you, Twilight," she said firmly. "We've got each other's backs, no matter what." Applejack nodded, her hat tipping slightly. "We're ready to tackle whatever comes our way, as long as we stick together." The others murmured their agreement, their eyes reflecting their unwavering loyalty and courage.

With their resolve strengthened, the group set off towards the point indicated by the Elements of Harmony. The journey was fraught with tension, as they knew the fate of Equestria could very well rest on their shoulders. Each pony's hooves echoed in the quiet streets of Ponyville, their thoughts a tumult of questions and worries about what they would find.

The maned six made their way through the vibrant streets of Ponyville, the air thick with anticipation. As they approached the spot where the Elements' light had struck, they found a shimmering portal, its edges flickering like a candle in the breeze. Rainbow Dash cautiously nudged it with her hoof, and it swung open, revealing a realm bathed in a warm, golden light. "Looks like we've got our ticket to the guardian of truth," Applejack murmured, her eyes wide. Twilight took a deep breath and stepped through, her friends following closely behind. They emerged in a world that was both familiar and alien: the high school halls of Canterlot.

Upon their arrival at Canterlot High School, the group split up to find Sunset Shimmer. Twilight's heart pounded in her chest as she led the way, her horn glowing faintly with the echo of the Elements' guidance. The school was unusually quiet, the lockers standing sentinel in the empty hallways. A distant melody drifted through the air, and they followed it, the tune growing louder until they reached the music room. There she was, Sunset Shimmer, her eyes closed as she played a hauntingly beautiful tune on the piano. She looked up as they entered, surprise and a hint of wariness in her gaze. "What brings you all here?" she asked, her voice soft yet commanding.

Twilight approached Sunset with a mix of urgency and reverence. "We've come because of a prophecy," she began, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Cheater believes that you are the guardian of truth we've been seeking to help us combat Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow." The music room's silence was palpable, the only sound being the gentle tick of the piano's strings settling. Sunset's eyes narrowed, and she took a deep breath. "I see," she said slowly. "And what exactly does this prophecy entail?"

Sunset's expression was a storm of emotions - surprise, skepticism, and a touch of fear. Her fingers stilled on the piano keys, the melody dissipating into the stillness. "A guardian of truth," she murmured, looking at her reflection in the polished wood. "I've faced my own darkness before, but this... this is something else entirely." She turned to face Twilight and the others, her eyes searching theirs. "What do you need from me?"

"Consent, refusal, or any other response, regardless of its form and content."

Sunset Shimmer studied Twilight's hopeful face, the light from the setting sun casting a warm glow on her mane. The weight of the prophecy settled heavily on her shoulders. She had come a long way from her days as a villain, seeking redemption and finding friendship in the most unlikely of places. Now, the fate of Equestria rested on her becoming something more. "I will do what I can to help," she said at last, her voice steady. "But I am no guardian. I am just a pony who knows the value of truth and the power of friendship. If that is what you seek, then perhaps I am the one you need." She stood, her eyes shimmering with determination. "But we must act swiftly. Time is not on our side, and our enemies are already plotting."

"Okay, then now I'll tell you how it all starts: cozy Glow, having developed a plan to seize power, stole artifacts from the friendship school and with their help created a portal that absorbs magic. When the changes in the magical background became too noticeable, six teachers, that is, you, went to Tartarus to Tirek, believing that he was involved in this. However, when you arrived there, the magic door closed behind you, thereby locking you there because you were without magic. Did you like my little story of a possible events?"

Twilight's eyes widened in horror as she listened to Cheater's tale. The thought of being trapped in Tartarus without her magic was almost too much to bear. She glanced at her friends, their faces mirroring her own shock and fear. "But what about the students?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "And the rest of Equestria? What happens to them?" Rainbow Dash placed a comforting wing around her, whispering reassurances in her ear, while Applejack's jaw set in determination.

"Our manipulator will begin to denigrate you in every possible way in the eyes of the students. The standard move for such a character." I'll tell you a secret: the ventilation hole, which is located in the library of the friendship school, leads to the dungeon where the harmony tree is located. There will also be a portal created by artifacts that should have been put in a well-guarded vault for a long time.

Applejack: Well, if that don't beat all. Cozy Glow, playin' us for fools and stealin' right under our noses. We gotta get back to the school, pronto!

Twilight Sparkle: Yes, we need to warn the students and prepare for whatever she has in store. But how do we even begin to counter such a plan?

"The first thing I would do would make it difficult for ordinary students to access such powerful artifacts. But first you can try to catch the manipulator in the hot seat, and with witnesses - there will be fewer problems proving his guilt."

Twilight nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. We need to be smart about this. Let's gather as much evidence as we can before confronting Cozy Glow. Maybe some of her actions have been caught on the school's security crystals or there are spells we can use to detect tampering in the artifacts' containment spells." She turned to her friends, a steely glint in her eyes. "We must act swiftly and decisively, but without alerting our foes to our suspicions."

"Then let's wait for the day when it starts happening. The trigger event will be the news from both Starlight Glimmer and the incoming Rarity. A Cozy Glow will be in Sparkle's office at this time, but behave naturally so that Cozy Glow does not suspect anything. After you are called to Canterlot by Celestia and Luna, do not hesitate and tell them that you know the person responsible for the disappearance of magic and are already collecting irrefutable evidence against him, but ask them not to show this knowledge if the culprit accidentally visits them."

Twilight nodded solemnly. "We'll be as subtle as shadows," she promised. "But how will we get out of Tartarus once we're there?"

"If you want, you can borrow my powers. If not, clones will go to Tartarus instead, you already know which ones."

Twilight's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. "If we can get there without falling into Cozy Glow's trap, that is," she said, her mind racing. "We need a way to sneak into Tartarus and confront Tirek without alerting Cozy to our true intentions." She paused, stroking her chin with her hoof. "Perhaps we can use the Element of Honesty to create an illusion of our own, one that makes us appear as mere tourists or historians visiting Tartarus for educational purposes. That way, we can investigate the situation without arousing suspicion."

"My strength does not depend on the elements of harmony that you will be asked to hand over at the entrance, and as for the artifact of the divine level, disguised as an ordinary hairpin, jewelry, or bracelet, you will get out without even straining."

Twilight looked at her friends, her expression a mix of hope and hesitation. "Borrowing your power..." she murmured. "It's risky, but we have to consider all options. If this is what it takes to save Equestria..."

"Just take the item that you will use as an artifact, and then say something like: "O messenger of heaven, grant us the power to defeat evil and injustice.""

Each member of the Mane Six looked around, contemplating the gravity of the decision. Rainbow Dash picked up a vibrant feather, fluttering with the colors of a rainbow. "I'll take this," she said, her voice firm. Applejack chose a small, intricately carved wooden apple. "This'll do," she nodded. Rarity selected a delicate silver necklace with a star-shaped charm, and Pinkie Pie grabbed a random party favor that she had stowed away in her mane. Fluttershy, ever gentle, picked a soft petal from the floor, her eyes wide with trepidation. Twilight, ever the scholar, took a quill from a nearby desk, its tip glowing faintly with arcane energy. As one, they turned to Cheater, holding their chosen items with trembling hooves. Twilight spoke for them all, her voice clear and unwavering. "Cheater, we ask for your power to be our shield in the fight against evil and deceit. We understand the responsibility that comes with this gift, and we promise to wield it with the same honor and integrity as you."

With a solemn nod, Cheater closed his eyes and raised his hand. A soft, green light began to emanate from his mask, enveloping the room. The air grew thick with the scent of ancient wisdom and the buzz of untapped potential. Each pony felt a sudden warmth as their chosen items began to glow and pulse with power. Twilight's quill grew warm and alive in her grasp, the glow extending up her arm as arcane knowledge flooded her mind. Rainbow Dash watched in awe as the colors of the feather swirled and melded into her coat, granting her unparalleled speed and agility. Applejack felt the wooden apple pulse with the strength of the earth itself, her muscles flexing with newfound might. Rarity's necklace grew warm around her neck, wrapping her in an aura of generosity that seemed to radiate from her very soul. Pinkie's party favor expanded into a whimsical staff, crackling with laughter and joy that could shatter even the darkest of spells. Fluttershy's petal grew into a gentle, shimmering orb, filling her with a courage that surpassed any creature she had encountered. The room grew silent, save for the steady hum of the artifacts charging with the essence of the Cheater.

"How do you like the abilities that outshine even the magic of the two Alicorn sisters?"

Twilight Sparkle looked at her glowing quill, feeling the surge of power flow through her. She took a deep breath, trying to process the vast array of information and spells at her disposal. "It's... incredible," she whispered, her eyes widening. "But we must remember the responsibility that comes with this power. We can't let it change us."

Rainbow Dash shot into the air, her newfound agility allowing her to perform breathtaking maneuvers with ease. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, looping around the room. "This is gonna come in handy!" Her exhilaration was palpable, the colors of the rainbow dancing in her eyes.

Applejack felt the ground tremble beneath her as she tested her newfound strength. Lifting a heavy bookshelf with ease, she set it back down and dusted off her hooves. "Well, I reckon we're ready for anything now," she said with a determined nod, her Southern drawl thick with confidence.

Fluttershy looked at her shimmering orb, a soft smile playing on her lips as she felt a gentle warmth spread through her body. The power was unlike anything she had ever felt before, but it didn't overwhelm her timid nature. Instead, it bolstered her, filling her with a courage that was both surprising and comforting. She held the orb close to her chest, feeling its warmth resonate within her. "Thank you," she murmured, her eyes meeting Cheater's. "We'll use these gifts wisely."

Pinkie's eyes sparkled with excitement as she twirled her new staff, sending waves of laughter echoing through the library. "This is the coolest thing ever!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbly with joy. "But we gotta be sneaky, right? We don't want to give Cozy Glow the idea we're onto her!" She winked at her friends, her playful nature already scheming.

Rarity, her aura suffused with the essence of generosity, approached Cheater with a grace that belied the gravity of the situation. "Cheater," she began, her voice as smooth as silk, "we are forever in your debt. However, we must ensure that this power does not corrupt us. Can you teach us how to create our own recharge artifacts, so that we may always be ready to stand against darkness without relying too heavily on your mask?" She looked around at her friends, her eyes shimmering with determination. "We wish to be self-reliant guardians of friendship and truth."

"There is no special procedure for this. Do it even with a ritual, or even with a command similar in meaning to "create an artifact"".

Rarity nodded thoughtfully, understanding the gravity of the request. "Cheater," she began, her voice carrying a tone of sincerity, "we seek your guidance in the creation of our own recharge artifacts. May we, with your permission, harness a piece of your power to ensure we are ever ready to face whatever challenges may arise?" She looked to her friends, who all nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of determination and respect.

"Of course, yes. And now you can go to harmony tree - there later will be waiting a confession of Cozy Glow in the committed crime". And yes, Sunset, you are now a new element of harmony, but your mission has not yet begun, so you can be free for now

Sunset Shimmer nodded solemnly, feeling the weight of her new role as the guardian of truth. She looked at the Element of Honesty in her hand, which pulsed with a soft, warm light. "I understand," she said, her eyes serious. "But I won't be far if you need me. After all, we're all in this together." She gave a small smile to her friends, a symbol of her commitment to their cause. The room was filled with a palpable tension as they all knew the gravity of what was to come.