Chapter 3: New Mission and true self

After the awkward presentation of H Twilight with P Twilight and the announced that the day to go to Camp Everfree would be tomorrow, the 8 girls and both Spikes gathered in the cafeteria to tell the princess everything that happened in the Friendship Games.

P Twilight: Wow, I cannot believe that this Principal Cinch forced you to unleash magic you couldn't control.

H Twilight: I know, the worst part was when I became a thirsty creature for magic.

Sunset Shimmer: Yeah, I know how that feels. The good thing was that you did by free will. Magic can be impressive, but sometimes it is dangerous.

P Twilight: Sunset is right. There is nothing to embarrass. It was not your fault.

H Twilight: Thank you.

Applejack: Think this as an experience for a new beginning: You are with us, now.

Rainbow Dash: Yes, and we have forgiven you.

Fluttershy: No hard feelings with anyone, not even the other students.

Rarity: Darling, believe it, everything will be now that you're a Wondercolt.

Pinkie Pie: It'll be great. More adventures, more fun and above all ... more parties!

H Twilight smiled knowing that she had new friends and would learn new things about friendship.

EQUESTRIA

Back at Magic Kingdom, The ponies had finished teaching the castle to Starlight. She felt a little uncomfortable about spending time with the ponies that once she stole their Cutie Marks, yet relieved that they were her first true friends. There were not only them, but Celestia and Luna, too

Applejack: What do you think about the castle so far?

Starlight: It is indeed fascinating, all I saw was the map when I …well...traveled through time.

The ponies entered to the library and there was the mirror to the alternate world.

Starlight: Is that the mirror where Twilight is right now?

Rainbow Dash: Yeah, she probably already have solved the Sunset Shimmer's problem.

Princess Celestia: I hope so, Sunset should need to learn all you can of friendship in that world.

Princess Luna: Twilight told us that your former student is progressing very well.

Princess Celestia: I have no doubt about it.

They were checking the library when Fluttershy noticed something in the mirror: it was flashing a dark blue light.

Fluttershy: Ahh ... Princess Celestia ... is normal the mirror turn into that color?

The princess looked at the mirror, along with the others. She had a serious look.

Starlight: But what is that?

Pinkie Pie: I do not think it is a party light or Hearth's Warming Eve light or a disco ball light or...

Princess Luna: You know what it is, sister?

Princess Celestia: I've never seen anything like it. I can feel it's magic, but ...old ... and dark.

Rarity: Evil magic? Twilight could be in trouble.

Princess Celestia: No, the mirror is getting this magic from somewhere in that world. I need Sunset Shimmer's book.

Rainbow Dash gave her the book and Princess Celestia used her horn to lift a pen and began to write.

ALTERNATE WORLD

P Twilight and H Twilight, along with their Spikes, were outside the school talking about magic and some experiences of each. While the others were inside, accompanying Sunset to make an important business.

Sunset Shimmer: Ah, you know, girls? I don't think I can.

Applejack: Positive mind, Sunset. Everyone at Canterlot have forgiven you. Surely he did it too.

Rarity: Besides, you are now friend of the one he likes. It will not happen anything.

Sunset: Okay. (Sighed) Well, here I go.

Sunset stepped forward to talk to him, ready to know if he forgave her.

Sunset Shimmer Hi, Flash.

Flash Sentry: Oh... hello Sunset Shimmer.

There was a moment of awkward silence. She recalled the time when she used him to be more popular. When he broke up with her after knowing her true colors, it was another reason to steal Twilight's crown: take revenge on him. Then Twilight showed her the friendship, she regretted everything she had done. Despite having made peace with everyone in Canterlot High, she hadn't no time to talk to him to apologize, even when they were partners for the Friendship Games

Flash Sentry: Well, something's wrong?

Sunset Shimmer: I just wanted to... apologize for ... you know ... manipulate people ... .using you as a zombie slave to invade Equestria and turned into a raging she-demon. I was not the best ... girlfriend.

Flash, despite this, she was not so confident with Sunset yet. Although he respected for the victory against the Dazzlings and Midnight Sparkle, he just didn't feel ready for that.

Flash Sentry: I understand. Well, I guess I accept your apology.

Sunset Shimmer: That doesn't sound very convincing.

Flash Sentry: Sunset, I appreciate what you have done for school since you reformed. But the truth is, I still cannot completely forgive a little. I'm not saying you have not changed, I believe it. However, it will take me some time.

This left Susnet a little sad.

Sunset Shimmer: Oh…well... Thanks anyway for listening. See you.

Flash Sentry: See you.

Sunset went with her friends.

Rainbow Dash: And how was it?

Sunset Shimmer: Ah, the truth is he still does not completely forgive me. I don't blame him, I used him more than everyone.

Her friends tried to cheer her up.

Applejack: Don't worry, just wait a little more and soon he will be ready to make peace with you.

Pinkie Pie: Yes, as all we have done.

Sunset: Thanks girls.

Just seconds later, Fluttershy looked something shining inside Sunset's backpack.

Fluttershy: Sunset, your backpack is shining.

Sunset took it off and took what was shining: Her book to communicate with Twilight in Equestria. She opened it and was surprised.

Rainbow Dash: What is it?

Sunset Shimmer: It is a message for Twilight and me from Princess Celestia.

Fluttershy: About what?

Sunset Shimmer: Troubles.

Meanwhile, outside, both Twilights were chatting and both Spikes were playing near them.

H Twilight: So you and your friends fought against a night alicorn, something called "draconequus", a changeling queen, a shadow pony king, an absorbing magic centaur and a pony with extremist equalities ideas?

P Twilight: Yeah, but also those who were with us participated to overcome them. The magic of friendship is strong in that aspect.

H Twilight: Wow, that's amazing.

Then, their friends went out hurriedly to inform the princess about the situation.

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight!

Both Twilight: Yes?

Sunset Shimmer: I mean, Princess Twilight, we have troubles.

P Twilight: Troubles? What happened?

Sunset Shimmer: Princess Celestia sent us this message through the book.

Twilight Q: What does it say?

Sunset Shimmer: "Dear Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle, it seems that a strange dark magic in that world is causing pulsations in the portal. I do not know exactly what or who causes them, but I feel that his power is big and dangerous. As you are the only ones with experience with dark magic in that world, I ask you to discover what cause it and stop it, because this power could not only endanger that world, but Equestria, too. I trust you will carry out this mission together. Sincerely, your former mentor, Princess Celestia"

Rainbow Dash: Well, it seems we have to save the day again.

Rarity: Aww, just when I thought the evil magic issues were over. I do not have the appropriate dresses for it.

Fluttershy: I hope not so dangerous.

Applejack: Dangerous or not, we have always up to that kind of magic.

Pinkie Pie: Wait!

Everyone looked at Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie: I did not know that the mirrors could cause pulsations. But why this kind of magic is appearing now?

Sunset Shimmer: Ahhh, maybe for me.

P Twilight: Why do you say that?

Sunset Shimmer: This whole thing of facing dark magic started because I took your crown and used it. Since then, sure that all those who can sense magic have felt it and want to possess it because they see an opportunity to either conquer this world or Equestria.

P Twilight: Sunset, that's over. Look, you made a mistake, but you learn from it and whatever it is, we will face it together.

Sunset smiled.

D Spike: But wait, the princess did not tell us where that dark magic is. How will we know where to go?

P Spike: I agree with my other me.

All began to think, where could it be? Thus, H Twilight smiled.

H Twilight: I know how we can locate that dark magic. Let's go to the computer room.

The girls and the Spikes did not understand, but followed her anyway.

In the computer room, H Twilight took from her backpack a small machine that connected to the computer.

Rainbow Dash: Hey what is that thing?

H Twilight: It was a prototype of my spectrometer, I used it when I detected the musical magic that was in the city stadium. After that, I built the other one that…well…was destroyed.

Rarity: But that's not going to steal our magic again?

Twilight H: No, this only detects unlike my previous. Let's see if that Princess Celestia says there's dark magic in this world, maybe I can expand the electromagnetic frequency of my spectrometer, discarding the magic around me, to obtain the exact location of the anomaly.

The girls, except for P Twilight and Sunset, and the Spikes did not understand what she meant. So they looked at their two friends who did understand.

P Twilight and Sunset exchanged glances.

Sunset Shimmer: Will you explain them or me?

P Twilight: Go ahead.

Sunset Shimmer: What she says is that discarding our magic, she can locate the exact location of the evil magic.

The Girls and the Spikes: Oooohhhh.

H Twiligbt was working on it until it was over.

H Twilight: It's done.

All they approached.

H Twilight: The anomaly or dark magic we seek is in ...Camp Everfree forest?

Everyone was surprised.

Rainbow Dash (sarcastically and annoyed): Oh great, just the place where we will go along with the whole school, is the same place where the dark magic is.

Rarity; Ahh, and I thought that was detestable go camping also that magic is there.

Fluttershy: Oh no, these animals near that dangerous and evil magic. I don't want to imagine.

Applejack: When I thought we could relax for a while.

Pinkie Pie: Oh no. (She pulled out of nowhere a list) I hadn't planned a party with some of that magic. It seems I need a new plan.

Sunset Shimmer: It seems we have no choice, we must go all to Camp Everfree.

P Twilight: Yes, we have to stop what causes this and try to prevent damage to both worlds.

All (including D Spike and P Spike): Yes.

Pinkie Pie: Oh, oh, oh. I know I know. What if, before we leave tomorrow, a sleepover party at my house?

All they smiled and gladly accepted.

After classes, each went home to enlist their things (P Twilight accompanied H Twilight to her house, of course without her parents or brother see her double, to lend her some normal and sleep clothes) and go to Pinkie Pie's house, also with what they would bring to camp.

The girls and the Spikes were in Pinkie's room. It happened almost the same in her previous sleepover. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were playing a video game entitled "The Power Ponies". Pinkie Pie...

Pinkie Pie: Status update "Super oki doki loki!"

Rarity decided to take a selfie with Fluttershy, Sunset and both Twilights. What she did not know was that both Spike had grabbed two dog's cookies and put them both behind Rartiy's hair to look like ears.

Rarity: Let's see how it came out this time (she looked the picture) what?!

The girls laughed and Rarity glared at the Spikes, but both only pretended they hadn't done nothing as they ate their cookies. Someone knocked on the door and Pinkie opened.

Pinkie Pie: Maud!

Maud Pie: Pinkie, here is the pizza you ordered.

Pinkie Pie: Cool, want some?

Maud Pie: No, thanks. I have already eaten dinner. Besides, Boulder doesn't like pizza.

Pinkie Pie: Oh, okay.

Maud left and the girls began to eat.

H Twilight: It must be amazing for you to be a princess.

P Twilight: Well, I have not felt that way. I was excited at first, but then, this not change me. I've never felt superior to anyone.

H Twilight: Must be good know there is someone there to help when you need. Thus one avoids taking the wrong path.

The conversation began to turn melancholy.

P Twilight: But sometimes you wish it would not. You just want to put your part and be someone else's lot, without having to know every day that your world depends on your actions.

It was then when Sunset entered the conversation, because she knew that feeling.

Sunset Shimmer: The trouble is that when you make a decision that you think right, chasing you fear of losing what you love.

The three were sad, because basically felt similar emotions: P Twilight, despite being a princess was afraid that her actions will not work, H Twilight was afraid that her actions would lead to bad roads again and Sunset feared that her actions take those who don't want to lose after all she had done to win worthily. It was an awkward moment, so Applejack intervened.

Applejack: Well, enough of concerns. The important thing is to be ready to go to camp. I think we should go to sleep.

Rarity: Oh yeah, I need a beauty sleep if you do not want to be mad when we arrive to that green and mud place.

Fluttershy: To be there and see the animals.

Rainbow Dash: To kick-butts of that dark magic where it hurts more.

Pinkie Pie: And to plan a victory party!

D Spike: Of course you will succeed, right Spike?

P Spike: Sure, Spike

They all laughed and went to sleep (both Spikes decided to sleep next to Fluttershy). At midnight, P Twilight had awakened and gone to the attic and through the window she looked at the moonlight. Then, Sunset also woke up, she did not notice the absence of P Twilight and go outside Pinkie's house to watch the moonlight. Finally, H Twilight, also woke up and didn't notice the absence of her two friends, she went to the back of Pinkie's house, just see the moonlight.

(Song)

P Twilight: The more I'm here,

More questions arise in me.

New or similar,

Which is which?

(P Twilight saw a reflection of her pony form and her human form)

Who is who? I don't know

H Twilight: The only one I believed I was,

It appears that is not true, Princess or student

Which is which?

Who is who? I do not know

Sunset Shimmer: Even having won forgiveness,

Guilt follows me without reason.

My place here or there

Equestria or school

Which is which?

Who is who? I do not know

Twilight P: Will I achieve to be a teacher

(Vision of her friends in Equestria with Starlight)

I don't want to fail.

This charge I have to bear

What is my true self?

I would like to know

H Twilight: Seeing my reflection I wonder if it's true

(Sight of her and P Twilight, in the middle Midnight Sparkle)

I thought to be special, now I don't know if I truly am

What is my true self?

I would like to know

Sunset Shimmer: Various forms I had

(Vision of her demon form and Daydream Shimmer)

My change was the best

But there is something I should know

What is my true self?

I would like to know

P Twilight: Very thankful I am

From what I've gained so far

But what if it's not real?

H Twilight: Seeing her and me I wonder

I'm real or not? Is she real or not?

Sunset Shimmer: My friends, my mentor, my lessons

Everything is real or not?

And if I lose them, what shall I do?

Twilight P, H Twilight, Sunset Shimmer: Oohhh! How much I would like to...!

P Twilight: …know...

H Twilight: ...my…

Sunset Shimmer: ...true…

Twilight P, H Twilight, Sunset Shimmer: ...seeeeelllllfffff!

(End of the song)

Each took their time in returning to sleep after their... "Reflections", since tomorrow would have to embark on a journey along with their fellow Canterlot students to Camp Everfree, but the others were for fun, they had to go anyway to carry out their mission to find and stop the dark magic that rounds there.