After a while the changelings arrived back to Mephiles, Chrysalis, and Sombra and told them what happened.

Mephiles: So you fail to do a simple task in destroying the Elements. (grabs changeling by throat)

Changeling(choking): Master we tried but there was a Unicorn with powers I haven't any Unicorn do.

Chrysalis: Explain yourself changeling while you still breathe.

Changeling: He was black and red and moved so fast and strong as well.

Mephiles: Black and red you say?

Changeling(choking): Yes he was too powerful for us.

-Mephiles drops the changeling.

Mephiles: So he is here.(chuckles)

Sombra: Who is here?

Mephiles: Someone that has gotten in my way so many times. But this time he will die.

-Now we return to the train slowed to a stop at the Empire's train station.

Shadow: So this is the Crystal Empire, impressive.

Spike: Sure is. I even saved it from a evil king named Sombra.

Shadow: Really?

Rainbow: Yup the kid's tougher than he looks.

Pinkie: This is gonna be fun. Where should we go first?

Rarity: I would love to visit the spa.

Fluttershy: That sounds fun.

Twilight: Alright everypony get ready to exit. We will be stopping in a few moments.

Shadow: Twilight can we go to place where we can sign up? I really want to compete in the tournament.

Twilight: Well… sure why not? Cheese and Mac would you like to come with us?

Bic Mac: Eeyup.

Cheese Sandwich: I'd love too, and it will give me some time to catch up with Pinkie Pie.

-the group got off the train and started to head into the city when suddenly Rainbow Dash noticed 2 familiar pegasi flying above them.

Rainbow: Hey! Soarin! Spitfire!

-Rainbow flew up to their level.

Soarin: Wow! Rainbow Dash long time no see. How have you been?

Rainbow: Pretty good. It feels like we haven't seen each other in FOREVER. So what are you two doing here anyway?

Spitfire: Soarin is here to compete in the fighting tournament, and I'm here for support. It's what team mates do.

Rainbow: Hey, a few of pals are competing in the tournament too why don't you come down and met them?

Spitfire: Ok. It will give us a chance to see what Soarin will be up against. Come on let's go Soarin.

-the three flew down to the level of the others and landed in front of the group.

Rainbow: Guys this is Soarin and Spitfire of the Wonderbolts. Soarin is competing in the tournament as well.

Shadow: Hmm. Looks like I might have some REAL competition after all.

Soarin: Who might you be?

Shadow: I'm Shadow a friend of Twilight's.

Soarin: Well I look forward to competing against you Shadow.

Shadow: As do I.

-Cheese and Big Mac stepped forward from the group.

Cheese: Hi I'm Cheese Sandwich the super-douper party pony, and I too am joining in on the fun. This big fella over here is Bic Mac the strongest pony from Ponyville.

Bic Mac: Eeyup.

Spitfire: Well this was fun, but Soarin and I are late for our check in at the hotel. We'll catch you all later.

Soarin: See you guys at the tournament!

-the Wonderbolts flew off

Rainbow: Aren't they so COOL Shadow?

Shadow: I guess.

Rainbow: My dream is be one of them someday.

Shadow: Really?

Rainbow: Yea! And since I am part of the Wonderbolts reserves, I am even closer to actually be a part of their group.

Shadow: I'm sure you will make it Rainbow.

Rainbow: Thanks Shadow. You're pretty cool yourself.

Shadow: Thanks Dash.

Twilight: Well everyone let's head to the registration tent. According to this flyer it's in front of the castle.

Pinkie Pie: I'm so excited!

Cheese Sandwich: So am I!

-the group walks over to the tent and Twilight sees that Flash Sentry is running it. She starts to blush a bit and Shadow notices this. Flash then notices the group

coming towards the tent and comes out from behind the tent.

Flash: Princess Twilight it is an honor to welcome you to the crystal empire.

Twilight: Thanks Flash…and please don't call me princess. I don't really like it.

Flash: Sorry Twilight it's just royal protocol.

Shadow: My friends and I want to sign up for the tournament.

Flash: Well please come over here and fill out these registration forms please.

Shadow: (whispers) Twilight could you write for me?

Twilight: (whispers) Why Shadow?

Shadow: (whispers) I don't know how to write in this form. Remember I used had hands.

Twilight (whispers) Well…I guess I could.

Shadow: (whispers) Thanks Twilight you are the best

-Twilight blushes a bit.

-After the three sign up Cheese and Big Mac go to the hotel to get unpack while the mane 6 and Shadow are escorted to Cadence and Shining Armor by Flash.

Rarity: The castle looks absolutely stunning doesn't it girls.

The other mane 5: Mmhmm.

Flash: Ok we are here. Allow me to open the door.

-Flash opened the door.

Flash: Your highness, Princess Twilight and her friends have arrived.

Cadence: Twilight!

Twilight: Cadence!

-the two did their sunshine dance

Twilight and Cadence: Sunshine Sunshine Lady Bugs Awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake! HEHE.

Shadow: What was that?

Fluttershy: It's their thing. They have been doing it ever since Twilight was small.

Shadow: Really.

Rarity: Yes of course. Cadence did foal sit Twilight for a while you know.

Shadow: That's neat I guess.

Cadence: You must be Shadow. I'm Cadence and this is my husband Shining Armor.

Shining: It's nice to finally meet you Ultimate Life Form.

Shadow: And the same to you your highness.

Cadence: Now that introductions are out of the way, Twilight I have some news for you. And old friend has just arrived at the castle.

Twilight: Really? Who is it?

Cadence: You'll see. Flash can you get her please.

Flash: Of course your highness.

Shadow: Do you girls have any idea who this "friend" might be?

Rarity: No clue Shadow.

Fluttershy: Let's just hope it's not someone mean you know.

Twilight: Fluttershy do you think Cadence would allow a mean person into the castle?

Fluttershy: Um..no.

Twilight: Exactly.

Flash: Attention everyone the guest has arrived.

-Sunset Shimmer Came from behind flash.

The mane 6: Sunset Shimmer!?

Sunset: Why hello Princess Twilight it's been a while. How have you been?

Twilight: I am doing fine Sunset. How about yourself?

Sunset: I'm doing great, and it's all thanks to you princess. You showed me the magic of friendship when you and the other girls forgave me after all that I did to you. Ever since you left, I have been doing my best to be a good friend to the other students, and we have really gotten close. Speaking of friends the counterparts to your friends wanted me to give this note to you.

-sunset hands the note to twilight.

Spike: Well what does it say?

Twilight: Dear Twilight, I hope you are doing well in your princess position. Canterlot High has never been this happy before, and it's all thanks to you. We are continuing to spread the magic of friendship to every person we could find. Sunset Shimmer has been a wonderful friend to us, and has learned much about friendship. We miss you so very much Twilight, and we hope to one day see you again.

Signed, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity.

Fluttershy: Aw. How sweet.

Twilight: So how did you get back? It hasn't been 30 moons yet.

Sunset: You see one day after school I noticed that the portal was acting strange. It was shining many different colors. It has done this before too, but I couldn't go through it. However, I was able to go through it this time though. So I told the girls about it, and I left the next morning. That's how I got the note for you.

Cadence: How many times has the portal done this strange behavior?

Sunset: A few times actually. The most recent one was about 2 months ago.

Twilight: That's around when the plunder vines took over Ponyville! It seems the portal acts weird when Equestria is in danger, but it doesn't explain why you were able to cross over this time.

Sunset: I guess we will never know. So do you girls have any questions about what's happening in my world?

Rainbow: Sunset how's the other Rainbow Dash doing? Probably being AWESOME! Am I right?

Sunset: She's doing great as usual. Our Rainbow is the captain of all of the female sports at our school, and she recently got an interview from some guys as ESPN.

Rainbow: What's the ESPN?

Sunset: (giggles) I'll tell you later.

-Sunset then notices Shadow.

Cadence: Oh. You two haven't been properly introduced yet. Sunset Shimmer this is Shadow who is here to help us with an important task. Shadow this is Sunset a former student of Celestia and a friend of Twilights.

Shadow: It's nice to meet you miss.

Sunset: Same to you. Flash told me a lot about you isn't that right Flash?

Flash: Ugh…yes..I did. Once I heard the news from Celestia that you would be arriving.

Sunset: It's weird that you're a unicorn. I recall that you were in fact a hedgehog were you not?

Shadow: I was.

Sunset: Then how did you become a pony then?

Twilight: Discord changed him.

Sunset: Discord!? I though he was long gone! Is he terrorizing Equestria!?

Shining: No. No. No. Discord has been reformed. He is on our side you see.

Sunset: Really?

Shining: Yes. Everyone it's getting late why don't we have some dinner and then hit the hay. Flash can you escort our guests to their rooms so they can unpack.

Flash: Of course my prince. Right this way.

-flash escorted them to their rooms and then the group sat at the dinner table.

Cadence: How is everypony's meal?

Pinkie Pie: It's so good!

AJ: It's to die for Princess. This…what is it again Rarity?

Rarity: Crème brule.

Aj: Crème brule is amazin. You have some great chefs here princess.

Cadence: Thank you Applejack. Our chefs only use the freshest and finest ingredients.

-across the table Shadow notices Twilight not eating and just staring down at her food.

Shadow: (whispers) Phsp. Twi why aren't you eating?

Twilight: (whispers) I'm not hungry.

-Twilight's stomach growls.

Shadow: (Whispers) I think you are. Is something bothering you?

Twilight: (whispers) No…nothings…wrong.

Shadow: (Whispers) Want to talk about it?

Twilight: (whispers) Sure.

-shadow and twilight get up from the table.

Cadence: Where are you two going?

Shadow: To take a quick walk. We will be back.

Cadence: Ok, but don't take too long your desert will get cold.

Twilight: We will be quick Cadence.

Sunset: Girls is there something going on with Twilight?

Rainbow: I don't know, but she always seems to have something on her mind.

Aj: She's been feeling unsure about her princess title that's all sugar.

Sunset: Would you care to explain?

Aj: Well Twilight told us she doesn't seem like her princess role doesn't have much weight if you get what I'm saying.

Sunset: I understand. I hope she feels better.

Cadence: Let's just continue with dinner and leave those two alone to talk it out. Anypony want more ice cream?

Pinkie: ME! ME! ME!

-server pony brings another bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Server pony: Would you like sprinkles madam?

Pinkie: YES! PLEASE!

-pinkie takes the shaker and opens it. And her ice cream is totally covered with sprinkles. Pinkie then starts to eat it rapidly.

Spike: Wow! Pinkie you have some appetite.

Sunset: This is nothing. One time the pinkie from the other world once ate out all of the bake goods from Sugar Cube bake shop, and she didn't even through up after words.

AJ: I guess Pinkie's have stomachs of iron.

-meanwhile Twilight and Shadow are on the crystal balcony sitting on a bench talking to each other.

Shadow: So what's wrong?

Twilight: Well…it's just that I feel left out that's all.

Shadow: Come again?

Twilight: You see about 2 months ago Equestria was under a crisis. Celestia and Luna were missing, and giant blank spiky thorns had taken over Ponyville. The sun and the moon were in the sky at the same time. It was pretty intense.

Shadow: Sounds like it. So how did you fix it?

Twilight: Well we had to give this tree called the tree of harmony the elements of harmony.

Shadow: Isn't that what Celestia calls you and your friends?

Twilight: I guess. The elements are magical objects that are very powerful. They have saved Equestria tons of times in the past. Each of us has a different element of friendship. Rainbow is loyalty. Rarity is Generosity. Pinkie is laughter. Fluttershy is kindness, and lastly AJ is honesty.

Shadow: How about you? What's your element?

Twilight: Magic.

Shadow: Magic? That doesn't seem to fit with the others. Does magic have another meaning?

Twilight: Not really. To me it seemed like it was friendship itself. That kind of makes me the leader.

Shadow: I get it. So why did you have to give these objects up?

Twilight: The tree of harmony wouldn't have survived without them. The tree is where Celestia and Luna found the elements. After we gave them back the vines were destroyed, and the royal sisters were freed from the vines prison. Suddenly, the sprouted a flower, and inside it was a crystal box with 6 locks.

Shadow: That's interesting. I have never heard of trees creating magical objects or mysterious boxes before. I guess you never heard of talking hedgehogs till you met me right?

Twilight: You're right. The only creatures that talk in this world are hoofed animals and dragons. I think I'm getting off track. So for a while I kept wondering about this box and how to open it. One day when visiting the tree Discord showed up and gave me our friend journal with different colored bookmarks. I read the passages and then realized my friends had all faced tough situations where they embraced their element of harmony. Also, each was given an object by the being they helped changed.

Shadow: So what's so special about these objects?

Twilight: I was getting to that. We brought the objects in front of the box. Pinkie then threw her rubber chicken at the box in an effort to get it to work somehow. Funny enough it actually turned into a key once it touched the box. The others put their objects on the box and you could guess what happened. I then saw that…..I didn't have my key.

Shadow: It's alright Twilight. Don't feel so blue. I know that you will get your key someday! I mean if you were able to become a princess, help change Sunset Shimmer, and saved Equestria many times you can help someone change their lives.

-Twilight blushes

Twilight: Thanks Shadow your sweet.

-shadow blushes too.

Shadow: Thanks Twilight. Why don't we go back inside and join everyone?

Twilight: Sure.

-the two return to the dinner table and finish dinner. The group then goes to bed for the night. Everyone is asleep except for Shadow.

Shadow: Today was sure interesting that's for sure. Twilight worries too much. She's wonderful, and will surly fulfil her destiny soon. I can feel it. I wonder what Mephiles is doing right now. How does he know about me? And how did he appear in my dream? I guess I'll find out. Well time to get home sleep. I can't wait to see what's going to happen tomorrow.

-Shadow turns his lamp off and goes to sleep.

As our heroes slept evil was at work planning their attack on the Crystal Empire. Mephiles, Chrysalis, and Sombra were back in the underground chambers of the Changelings.

Sombra: You now have your army Mephiles. Now let us conquer Equestria…together.

Mephiles: Patience my friend, all in good time. But first we need to make sure my plan is in action.

Chrysalis: What do you mean by that Mephiles?

-Mephiles looked at her and placed his hand on the side of her face.

Mephiles: My lovely Chrysalis. What I mean is that I purposely told that alicorn about Shadow so that she can bring him here with the emeralds so that we will have more power than we ever imagine. No one will stop us. We will become gods.

Sombra: So is this Shadow is he a threat to us?

Mephiles: Yes if he is given the opportunity.

Sombra: Then allow me to exterminate this pest.

Mephiles: No. I have a better idea.

Chrysalis: What do you have planned for this Shadow?

Mephiles: (chuckles) There's an old saying they say from my world: "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

Chrysalis: So you wish for him to join us?

Mephiles: Yes I do. Shadow at first refused me, but an unfortunate event changed my world's timeline, causing him to lose the memories of our interactions together. But now fate has given me a second chance and this time he will join me or all those he holds dear to him will….DIE!

Chrysalis: I love the way you think Mephiles, but there are ponies with the powers of the Elements Of Harmony and their leader Twilight Sparkle, who I found out has recently ascended to the level of a alicorn making her the biggest threat to us out of the six of them.

Mephiles: Then they will be dealt with and destroyed, along with those who opposes us.

Sombra: Mephiles, may I suggest something to your plan about this Shadow.

Mephiles: And what do you have in mind my fiendish friend?

Sombra: It's about Twilight Sparkle. When I last returned to the Crystal Empire she was sent to defeat me with the help of her friends. During her time in my kingdom, she used dark powers similar to ours.

Mephiles: Are you suggesting that this Twilight Sparkle should join us?

Sombra: Yes. With the right push and motivation, she will give into her dark powers and become my queen of darkest.

Chrysalis: So then there will be five of us to rule Equestria.

Mephiles: No my dear. Equestria will only be the beginning, we will travel to other worlds and conquer them and darkest will reign through each one of them.

Sombra: No one will stand in our way.

Mephiles: Darkness will reign supreme.

-All three of them laughed at their sinister to come. Back to Shadows room where Shadow was sleeping in hedgehog form. A a light aura appeared in his room and began speaking to him.

Light Orb: Shadow..

-Shadow wakes up.

Shadow: What the hell?! Who are you? And how you'd get in here.

Light Orb: Shadow...your true purpose in Equestria will be revealed.

Shadow: My true purpose? What do you mean by that? Answer me.

Light Orb: Prepare yourself my old friend..

-The light fades away and Shadow stands in complete confusion.

Shadow: Ok what was that about and how does it know who I am?