Rubble and broken glass were scattered everywhere on the floor.  The front entrance to Canterlot High had now become a wide hole blasted into existence.  And there was a crater in the middle of the courtyard, right next to the statue of a horse.

As Sunset Shimmer was cleaning the main entrance and as Twilight Sparkle was bidding goodbye her friends, everyone thought that their troubles were gone for good.

‘If only they knew better’ thought an invisible and bodiless entity. That entity was what remained of the demonic being Sunset Shimmer had transformed into.  The Demon was brought to life when Sunset Shimmer donned the Element of Magic.  They were one, with the Demon painfully taking over Sunset’s body and infusing it with dark magic.  In turn, Sunset’s goals, thoughts, knowledge, and ideals transferred into the demon’s mind, making them think alike.

After they were defeated by Twilight Sparkle and her friends, the Demon was forced out of Sunset’s body. But the monster was never destroyed, as the Elements of Harmony can never inflict harm or completely disabled their foes; they just threw them into a weaker state.

‘I was an incarnation of power…everything Sunset wanted to be for all these thirty moons…and right when she bought me to life, she failed….’ the Demon thought resting her back against the base of a statue.

She could hear Twilight giving a final farewell and walking into the portal.  The Demon found out earlier that she couldn’t access portal due to her current form.

‘Well it looks like I’m not the only one who won’t be going to Equestria tonight.’ She mumbled, seeing Sunset Shimmer race down the steps only to find out that the portal was closed.

The demon narrowed her eyes at Sunset, ‘It’s your entire fault, Sunset! As one person, we could have conquered Equestria, and ruled this world at the same time.  In the end, I hope rebuilding the school takes you the rest of your miserable life.’

The demon then stomped away from the school, to clear her thoughts.  She vowed to return some months later, hoping that the elements’ effect would wear off of her.

“If you will not embrace your destiny as the better of Celestia, Sunset, then I will make you.” She hissed.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Seven Months after Equestria Girls….

In the evening, Rarity and Applejack marched up to Twilight’s Sparkle’s door, ready for Twilight’s first slumber party. Applejack was carrying a sleeping bag tucking her toothbrush, night suit, and hairbrush inside it.  Rarity went through all the trouble of packing up three shoulder bags of clothing, make-up, and other ‘essentials’.

Having her hands free, Applejack rapped Twilight’s door lightly.

“Applejack, I think it is better to make use of the nearby doorbell.” Rarity scolded.

Applejack grumbled “For your information, Rarity, it makes totally no difference. It gets a person’s attention one way or another.”

“Well, what good is a doorbell if you can’t make use of it?  Twilight and her family are from the city, thus are part of sophisticated society.  Why, her father is a professor in astronomy, and her brother is the head of the city’s police department. You can’t just-”

“Applejack! Rarity! It’s so good you could make it.”

Twilight opened the door, sounding very enthusiastic. Her brother was on a vacation with his girlfriend, and her parents were out of town, so Twilight and the rest of the girls had the permission to spend a slumber party over the weekend.

“I could say the same here Twilight,” Applejack said, making her way inside.

Rarity sidestepped into Twilight’s house with her luggage dangling from her shoulders and arms. “Sorry, I packed so many bags, darling. I felt I should pack...”

“…Anything and everything?” Snickered Applejack.

Rarity glared at the cowgirl. “Oh, please. Applejack, it doesn’t hurt to bring your own stuff.”

“It’s okay guys,” Twilight said, trying to prevent an argument happening between the two. “I don’t mind what you bring. Just remember to place it in living room.”

But Applejack wasn’t finished arguing. “See Rarity? Twilight is nothing like the folk of the city, even at her home. So why do you have to be all snobby like them?”

“Never mind the Snobby folk of city. Why there is so much more to the city…” Rarity began, but then gulped.

“Like what?” Twilight asked.

Rarity beamed, “Why I am just envious that you have lived the life that I had always wanted – The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living in the city! But…my mother and father, being country folk, wanted to settle here, thinking that a rural area is what I needed to grow up in.  And…I have my business at the boutique here and Sweetie Belle has Applebloom and Scootaloo. I can’t just leave all just at once.”

“Leaving is tough – But when I left, I had no friends or any special connections with anyone in my old school, other than the old Sunset Shimmer who is now long gone.” Twilight confessed.  “But I’m glad you are here with me now.”

“Same here.” Applejack added. “Despite all yer nitpickiness, I couldn’t have asked for a better dressmaker for each of my proms.”

A tiny smile formed on Rarity’s face.

Twilight shouted down the hall “Hey girls, Rarity and Applejack are here!”

In response, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash came over.

“Hey, guys.” Dash grinned. “Sorry I haven’t hung out with you that much.  I’ve been preparing the football team for their match against Manehattan High.”

Fluttershy said, “Sunset texted me that she was just finishing her shift at Smoothie Cube Corner-”

“WITH ME!”

Everypony looked behind Rarity and Applejack to find Pinkie at the doorway.

“Hey, Twilight. You should remember to lock your door after bringing in guests. It’s so unexpected to find someone pop up at your front door.”

“Hello, Pinkie.” Twilight greeted.  “Where is Sunset?”

“After our shift was over, she said she was going to head home to get her slumber party stuff.”  Pinkie explained.

Twilight pulled out a tiny pocket-sized guide book, announcing “Now, while we wait for Sunset, let me share with Applejack and Rarity the guide to our slumber party guide…”  

“The egghead had put a lot into planning.” Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack.

Scrolling through pages in her book, Twilight said aloud, “First off – makeovers, followed by scary stories and then truth or dare.  Once we are done with those, we’ll make some smores, and then end our party with the traditional pillow fight-”

“Hold on there – why not save ghost stories for last and have smores at the same time? That seems like more fun to me.” Applejack asked lowering the book from Twilight’s face.

“Maybe we also could throw in time for your brother’s Haystation 4 system.” Rainbow Dash suggested.

“Oh! I bought some dresses that would go nicely with the makeups!”  Rarity squealed setting on of her bags down pulling out an elegant magenta dress with a short skirt.

“Kaaaaariokie, anyone?!” Pinkie chimed, holding a radio and microphone.

Fluttershy asked “Oh, can we also watch Rescue from Midnight Castle...If that’s alright with you?”

Twilight shrugged, feeling partly obliged to stick to her schedule.

She sighed, “I guess we could put them into the schedule….As long as it’s fun.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flash Sentry drove Sunset Shimmer down the afternoon neighborhood and parked his car in Twilight’s driveway.  It had been a silent trip that Flash found unsettling.

“Okay, we’re here.  You excited?” Flash asked Sunset Shimmer

Sunset sighed “Sort of…I’ve been to other parties with these girls.”

“Sort of?”  Flash wondered. “Sunset, this is a nice time to get together with your friends. And this is not only Twilight’s first slumber party, but it’s yours too. Brighten up a little, will you?”

“Mmm…I just don’t feel like I should be here at this moment doing these happy things, Flash. I feel like I should be that bully I was a couple months ago. ”

“Why?” Flash asked

“When I was a bully I had big…dreams.  You know all that conquering-Equestria-stuff and becoming superior to everyone else. I enjoyed dominating the high school of CHS.  Now….I just go about studying, spending time with these girls and you, and holding my job at Sugar Cube Corner….it just feels…so….not me…”

Flash replied “Life is full of twists that turn that change people’s lives.  Sometimes it takes longer for people to adapt to that change. And sometimes they try to change back because it’s so hard to admit what has happened.   But sooner or later we accept it and move on.”

“Wow, when did you become philosophical?” Sunset wondered.

With chuckle, Flash though about it. “I have no idea….anyway, you better get going, Sunset. You don’t to be going inside when they are all asleep.”

-------------------

Sunset waved goodbye to Flash Sentry as he drove out of the driveway. Carrying her sleeping bag, her own toothbrush, and her pajama’s, she walked up to the door of Twilight’s house.

When Sunset rang the doorbell, Rarity answered it having a mud mask on her white face.

“Sunset, do come in! We were just about to start makeovers!”

“Makeovers?” Sunset questioned, only to be yanked in.

Rarity guided Sunset over to the living room where everyone was giving each other makeovers, trying on some glittering dresses, or participating in karaoke.

“Glad you could make it Sunset! This is gonna be THE BEST NIGHT EVAR!” Pinkie shouted into a microphone, with her hair was filled more with hair rollers than Sunset could count.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Makeovers, dress up, and karaoke…check,” Twilight told herself, marking it off in her pocket book.

“Could someone please help me with my hair?” Sunset groaned, trying to pull off one of several hair rollers.

“Let me help….” Pinkie offered, uncoiling one of the rollers out of Sunset’s hair.

All of sudden Sunset’s red and yellow hair snapped into a fashion that mimicked Rarity’s

“Nope. That wasn’t the one.” Pinkie commented, and began pulling out another hair roller.

Sunset’s hair then morphed into fashion that looked similar to Rainbow Dash’s.

“Hmmm…this will take a while…” Pinkie observed, then proceeding to pull out more hair rollers.  Sunset’s hair started to snap into different shapes and forms, until finally her hair rested in her normal state.

Checking her hair for no more hair pins, Sunset asked “Okay….what’s next?”

“Gaming on the Haystation 3!” Dash cheered.

“But Rainbow, there are only four controllers.” Fluttershy pointed out.

“So?  We’ll take turns.” Sunset shrugged.

Twilight thought about it for a while. “Why not do something altogether, like watching Rescue from Midnight Castle?"

“You have that?” Rarity beamed “Why I haven’t seen that movie since first grade! Let’s do it.”

“Gahh…it’s just some old movie from the eighties.” Dash moaned. “I always wanted to try out Shining Armor’s Haystation.”

“Ah know; Twilight, let’s take a vote.” Applejack suggested. “Ah vote for the Haystation: I’m up for some gaming against Dash.”

“Count my vote in for the game.” Pinkie chimed, joining Dash and Applejack.

“I…want to vote for the movie…I’m not much of a gamer…” Fluttershy said, shyly.

“I agree with Fluttershy.  The movie a beautiful and memorable classic we have not seen in a long time.  Besides, it is better that touching those sweat-drenched gaming controllers and staring at a screen like a mindless husk for endless hours.”  Rarity remarked. “No offense to your Brother about how he plays his gaming, Twilight.”

“None taken.” Twilight shrugged, knowing that Rarity was actually right.  “I vote for the movie. What about you, Sunset?”

Sunset could see herself caught in between two types of people that were both her friends. She hadn’t even seen Rescue at Midnight Castle or played on a Haystation.

“It’s just a vote.”  Rainbow Dash commented.

“I’m thinking…” Sunset sighed.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Go on…say it.” Grinned Rarity

“Fine…that was a pretty good way to kill two hours when you are teen.” Rainbow Dash grumbled.

“I’ll agree,” Sunset added.  “The movie was actually pretty great.”

The plot of the movie was about ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, being threatened by a dark warlord, who lived in his ‘Midnight’ Castle.  It was no surprise to Sunset that this story ended up with a happy-ever-after for everypony, since the movie’s storyline was similar to legends in Equestrian History.  The colorful ponies in the movie, however, looked rather different from the ones in Equestria, having smaller eyes and more complex bodies.

“So, now that we are done with the movie…do you know any scary stories from Equestria?” Twilight asked Sunset.

Sunset thought about all the stories that she overhead other ponies talking about at night in the dormitories at her School. “Well…there is the ‘one eyed minotaur in this hidden maze’….And ‘The headless horse…’

“…With a horseman that had an actual head?” Pinkie asked.

“No, Just the horse without its head.” Sunset stated.

“Where would its brain be then?” Applejack asked.

Sunset gave dumbfounded look “How should I know?  It’s a ghost story…they are all made up in a minute.”

“Yeah, well not the one where five of us were attacked by a demon seven months ago….no offense.” Rainbow Dash replied, with Sunset replying with an irritated look.

Before either jock could say anything, Twilight said “I know; I’ll kick things off and we’ll all continue it one by one in circle.  That way we’ll all tell a part of a story.”

So all the girls dimmed the lights and got into a circle, with each of them sitting on their pillows.

Twilight began, “It all started with a night like tonight….”

Sunset followed “….Seven good friends just like us…”

Rainbow Dash added “…Huddled in tight circle and continued to spend their slumber party telling scary stories …”

Pinkie said “….the wind was blowing, and the moon was full….”

Rarity continued “…They took no notice of a creaking noise echoing around the house. And the owl that was eerily hooting.”  Rarity gave out a few ‘hoo’s’ which made everyone giggle.

“But when one of the girls was hungry, she left the group to go the kitchen without telling.” Applejack continued.

“Once she had fixed herself a midnight snack.” Twilight said “She went back into the room to find her friends weren’t there….”

“….and…uh…then all of sudden...she could hear voices… echoing across the hallways…” Sunset Shimmer whispered.

“…And the voices were calling out her name…” Rainbow Dash added.

“As soon as she realized that, the light’s flickered out and someone grabbed her from behind…” Pinkie hissed.

Simultaneously, the lights went out, causing the girls’ hearts to jump.

“Rainbow Dash, was that you?” Applejack hollered.

“Hey, it’s not my fault!  Pinkie probably planned it. You know how she is with….surprises.” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Not me, Dashie. I’m guessing it’s due to an electric bill that needs to be paid.” Pinkie stated.  

Twilight went to nearby light switch, finding that the lights didn’t turn on. And then she peeked out the window into the street. “All the lights are out, girls. It looks like an electrical blackout is occurring.”

“There goes any chance of Haystation tonight….” grumbled Rainbow Dash.

“So, back to the story?” Rarity asked.  Just then, a creaking noise was heard elsewhere inside the house.

“I’m….I’m sure that just the wind.” Twilight stated, even everyone could see she was lying.

“Hey where has Fluttershy been all this time?” Sunset Shimmer asked.  No one had realized she had been absent for a while.

Unexpectedly, Sunset could feel a soft tap on her shoulder and a trace of cold breath running down her neck

“YIKES!” Squealed Sunset. She spun around and whacked whatever was behind her with her pillow.

There was the sound of tray falling to ground and a whimper upon the pillow’s impact.

Rarity reached for a flashlight in her bag and threw it on, shining it on….

“Fluttershy?” Sunset Shimmer realized.

Fluttershy was shaking on the floor from the impact of Sunset Shimmer’s pillow.  Next to her was a tray with five smores, with two more on the floor

“I-I thought I could make them quickly before we start telling stories. I’m sorry I scared you…and myself” She shivered.

“I was going to say the same thing.” Sunset replied, taking one of the smores that landed on the floor.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After some smores, scary stories, truth or dare (with the most memorable moment dare being Applejack forced to dress up in a frou-frou, glittery, lacey outfit), and pillow fight, everyone was setting up their sleeping bags on the living room floor, ready for the night, using their flashlights to brighten up the house.

Twilight Sparkle came down in her constellation-marked PJs and a grey rag doll in her hands.

“This is smarty-pants. He’s just a doll that I had when I little that I would use to stimulate schooling.” She introduced.

“That’s cute.” Sunset commented.  The grey doll seem to have been crudely made, having yarn sticking out of its head and two buttons for eyes to indicate where a face should be.  But it also had some heartwarming meaning to it.

“Don’t forget this doll!” Pinkie wailed from upstairs bringing down another doll. This one had blue yarn erupting from its head and was stitched together from cream-colored socks.  It came with a crude-looking jacket and pants.  It also had two blue buttons for eyes.

“Is that…Flash Sentry?” Applejack wondered.

Pinkie studied the doll in her hands “What do you know? It does look like-”

“It does not!”  Twilight panicked, dropping her smarty-pants doll and rushing upstairs to steal the stuffed Flash Sentry doll away from Pinkie. Pinkie tossed it over the banister and into Rainbow Dash’s hands.

“You guys, stop this!” Twilight cried racing down the steps.

Once she got down, a Rainbow Dash tossed it to Applejack. When an irritated Twilight darted at Applejack, Applejack threw it to Sunset Shimmer.  

In her hands Sunset could see the doll did resemble Flash sentry, even sporting his shield-and-lightning-bolt emblem on his shirt.

Sunset Shimmer was about to continue the fun until Twilight knocked Sunset Shimmer over and the snatched the doll.  

“That’s enough!” Twilight yelled.

Avoiding eye contact, Twilight began to stomp away from her friends, hugging the Flash Sentry doll close to her chest.

“Hey…we’re sorry, sugarcube.” Applejack assured

That made Twilight stopped in her tracks, looking at the doll.

“What’s there to hide, Twilight?  He already likes the pony you!” Pinkie asked, sliding down the banister and jumping in front of Twilight.

Pinkie’s words not only pained Twilight, but Sunset as well. Flash was her boyfriend…not PrincessTwilight’s - At least not anymore.

“Are you in love with…Flash?” Sunset wondered, coming over to Twilight.

Twilight hugged the Flash Sentry doll closer to her chest.  She took a deep breath before explaining.

“No, Sunset Shimmer. We aren’t in love.  I just…started to like him after you took me to one of his concerts and introduced me to him….I…couldn’t stop thinking about him for some time; he loved the pony princess me…so I thought he could love me too.  But he was your boyfriend so I felt that it would be wrong to try to take him from you. In order to ‘present’ my feelings for Flash Sentry, I made doll version of him.”

Sunset was feeling jealous that someone had the same feelings for her boyfriend as somepony else.  But then remembered what she had said to Flash in February about planning to one day go back to Equestria.

“It’s alright Twilight….” Sunset began but then stopped, thinking about what she was going to say. “I’m glad you respect Flash’s relationship with me. That what a true friend would do.”

Twilight murmured “No its, not.  A true friend wouldn’t have feelings for their for their friend’s boyfriends behind their backs.”

“And what’s wrong that?” Rainbow Dash stated “You’re not trying to drive them apart. You are just letting them be and moving on.”

“And that’s also what true friend would do.” Sunset said wrapping an arm around Twilight.

Feeling better Twilight replied “I appreciate your understanding…but…please, everyone, stay out of my room.  It’s….private…”

Just then some hooting and barking came from upstairs.  Much to everyone’s surprise an owl gilded down to the lower level, with a purple and green dog chasing behind it.

“What in tarnation?!” Applejack exclaimed.

“Oh! I am so sorry!” Fluttershy called from upstairs.  “I didn’t mean to wake them.”

The dog, which everyone assumed was Spike, continued to pursue the owl until Twilight scooped Spike up in her arms, holding both him and the Flash Sentry doll.  She started to scratch behind his ears, which instantly calmed him down.

“Everyone – this is Spike. I’ve had him since I was little girl.  And that’s Owlowiscious.” Twilight explained, referring to the dog and the owl, with the latter perching itself on Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“I’m so sorry!” Fluttershy repeated, “I just wanted to see the cute things.  I didn’t think they would wake up so easily and start fighting.”

“Don’t worry – They get on each other’s nerves a lot,” Twilight said “But they are good friends. They blame a lot of things on each other.”

*Hoo?* Owlowiscious hooted on Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“You and Spike.” Rainbow Dash replied.

*Hoo?*

“Spike.”

*Hoo?*

“Sp- Oh forget, it.”

*….Hoo?*

That made the girls giggle.  At that same time, Rarity was striding down the steps in her gleaming night gown, jiggling a necklace of pearls in her hands.

“Twilight, do ask your mother if I may borrow these for next year’s fall formal.  They would go nicely with new dress plan I can up with.”

“I….don’t know…” Twilight stated, “Those are my moms and they are real pearls…”

“By my stars – Spike-wikey!” Rarity exclaimed, dropping the necklace of pearls.

Spike jumped out of Twilight’s arms and brushed up against the fashionista’s bare legs.   Rarity, happily picked up the puppy and began to scratch behind his ears.  Despite him not being the same Spike from Equestria, Rarity found him adorable too.

Before Twilight could ask for Spike back, Sunset handed her the Flash Sentry doll.

“It’s not a bad at all, Twi,” Sunset commented.

“Thanks…my babysitter taught me how to make dolls like this.  I’m not that good though….” Twilight replied, as if she wanted to avoid talking about the doll at all.

“I wasn’t just talking about the doll,” Sunset whispered “I was talking about your feelings for Flash.”

Twilight’s face flushed red before taking her doll and the pearls back upstairs.  Sunset didn’t know if she was embarrassed, flattered, or angry.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset stirred in her sleeping bag, feeling as though something was preventing her from sleeping.  She sat up in her sleeping bag and rubbed her eyes.

A hand swiftly lashed out from the darkness and clutched Sunset’s mouth shut. Sunset was to throw her hands up to this stranger in the dark, only to her hands fused behind her in a greenish glow.

The stranger’s emerald eyes started to glow, illuminating Sunset’s face.

“It would be smart choice to keep silent….” The stranger hissed, sounding a lot like Sunset herself.  Her emerald eyes lit up some more, so Shimmer could see an outline of her slender, winged body.

Sunset’s eyes nearly fell out as she gazed at the something – not someone – before her.  It was the demonic being she transformed into seven months ago.

“Only you can see me and hear me, Sunset; I made it so.” The demon hissed again, pulling her hand gently away from Sunset’s mouth, releasing her magical handcuffs.

“I bet there was a reason you woke me up, especially on this particular night.” Sunset sneered quietly as to not wake up her friends.

The demon hissed “The electrical blackout provided me with the right moment. And I have been watching for the right moment Sunset Shimmer, from the time I saw my creator abandon her ambitions all because of the magic of friendship…”

‘All because you failed’ Sunset thought. ‘Princess Twilight used the Elements on you – not me. And I’m not your creator.’

The demon leaned into Shimmer’s face, gritting her teeth and spreading her wings, yelling “I heard that! I hear everything you say, Sunset! Even in your head, you are not safe!”

“So you are in my head?” Sunset wondered, looking relaxed with the demon standing above her

“Yes, and I’m in theirs, too…” the demon said.

Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy started to wake up from their sleeping bags.  Even Spike started to rise from his basket nearby.  All their eyes were lime green and they began to moan unconsciously, acting in similar fashion to the students who were mind controlled during fall formal.

The demon grinned.  “While you were asleep, I possessed your friends, for you of course.”

“For me?” Sunset asked. “Don’t you mean against me?”

The demons shook her head. “I hope you didn’t forget the visions in mirror.  I saw them too.  I still see greatness in them. I am merely helping you fulfill them, despite your…or our…loss. Taking over your friends is the first step….”

Sunset surely did not forget her vision of herself as an alicorn ruler.  It’s what had gotten her trapped into this human world in the first place.

‘Why don’t you find that greatness yourself?’ Sunset thought. ‘I’m done trying to be something a mirror said I was going to be’

The demon sighed “Very well – I see that you think you have changed.  But I need your help so I’ll make an offer; come with me and I’ll show you the truth in the portal. If you refuse …”

A possessed Twilight Sparkle gripped Sunset’s right arm and begun to twist it so hard, Sunset felt several muscles being painfully, stretched. Spike ran up to Sunset’s covers and started to gnash his teeth at Sunset.

Sunset winced, knowing what the demon meant “Fine.  Just let my friends go.”

The demon stamped her fingers. Simultaneously, everyone in the room feel back into their sleeping bags.  Spike huddle himself into tight ball on Sunset’s sleeping bag.

“Let’s move.” The demon beckoned, transforming into a green glowing mist.

Once Sunset got out of her sleeping bag, she accidently brushed her feet against Spike’s nose.  

Sunset followed the demon out the front door.  As she did so, she bumped against the doorbell. Hopefully, it would stir her friends up and they would help her…somehow

“What do you think you are doing?” Snapped the Demon in its mist form.

“It’s dark outside – I was looking for my shoes.” Sunset lied.  

“Wait here and don’t move.” The demon demanded and phased past the front door.  She came out after a minute later, still in the form of a green mist.

“Your friends and that mutt are still asleep – forget the shoes. And don’t do that again.” The demons said floating away with a shivering Sunset Shimmer in tow.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The demon had led her across the pitch-black city to Canterlot High School.  Shimmer could relate her current situation to Princess Twilight Sparkle during fall formal.

“Magical Demon …me being completely powerless…night time…Yeah, I guess you and I aren't so different, Princess” Sunset murmured.

The demon transformed back into her monstrous form, pointing a red claw at the portal.

“I need you to look in there again.” The demon stated.

“For what?” Sunset asked

“To see what else is in store for your destiny.”

Sunset did as the demon asked, kneeling in front of the portal – but all she could see was her own reflection.  Sunset waited some more but no images started to appear on the reflective surface.

Knowing that portal always shown images whenever someone was in front of it, Sunset reached out and tapped the portal surface.  Still, there was no result.

“I don’t see any- ARRGGHH!”

Sunset dropped to the floor, feeling a pain that shot though her spine.  She spun around and found that the demon was not behind her.

“News Flash, Sunset; I had to drag you out here to take over your body.  Don’t even try to call for help; you are all alone and in the dark….now, on with the show!"

Sunset looked at herself. She was becoming slightly taller and her skin was starting to change into a pale tint of red.  Her hands grew in size and her nails became claws.  Two bat-like wings ripped out from the back of her night shirt.

Sunset began to cry, feeling painful pulses traveling though her body.  She collapsed in front of the portal.  Reflected in it, was her ongoing transformation seen by her panicked human eyes.

...huh…apparently you are too good for my magic to have a full effect…”

Sunset cradled her head, feeling the demon’s voice coming from there “Why…Why Are you doing this do me?!”

“This is your destiny… You can’t stop from happening, because I am going to take you there.”

“No, you’re wrong!” Sunset panted on her knees.

“How am I wrong? The portal spoke of your destiny!  It envisioned the element of magic in your grasp. That came true.  It envisioned you as being better than Celestia – which you were, too, when we became one! If you would just quit struggling and let us become one again, we can become powerful enough to rule two worlds!”

Sunset took every word in as she slowly felt her body surrendering itself to the demon. Right when she was about to admit defeat, she finally knew what to say.

“You think we are powerful enough to rule Equestria? We couldn’t even destroy Princess Twilight Sparkle!” Sunset croaked.

All of sudden the pain start to lessen, and the demon’s voice now sounded like she was on the defensive side

"Silence!”

As the demon freaked out, Sunset began to stand weakly on her legs.

“And what can you do now you are stuck in my head?  Make me look like a monster?”

I could come out of this body, and turn everyone into zombies, and have them rip you into pieces!

“But what about my destiny? Are you saving you would prefer to not have it fulfilled?” Sunset sneered.

The demon was silent.

“That’s right – I don’t need the elements of harmony to get rid of you. Just a few words…”

"Stop! I am the incarnation of your greatest-”

“Failures…mistakes….that’s all you are; just an idea that’s lost in the past. Now that I have changed myself and the course of where I am going, you can bet that I’m not that alicorn in the magic mirror!”

Lies! Lies!

“You want to know what was a lie? You really want to know? You.  You took over me when I thought I could be better than Celestia, when I ran away, when I became a bully at this school, and when I donned the Element of Magic.  And when we almost achieved what we thought was our destiny, you failed and left me in that crater. We can’t be one – and you aren’t more powerful than me, because I have seen the error of my ways….And you are the error.”

But…how? I….am you!

“You’re just in my head. I’ll remember you.  But I will never become one with you again in the future.  You’re a memory….”

Sunset felt as if some jolt of energy knocked her down. The intense pain in her head swiftly faded away.  The demon’s transformation began reversing, causing Sunset to be human again

The pain stopped and the night time world was eerily silent. A breeze swept over her weakened body.

‘She was strong…’ Sunset thought, ‘But how was I stronger?’

Feeling more of the cold nighttime air start to bite her, Sunset sprinted back to Twilight’s home.  However, She found out the front door was locked.

“Well this is just great, being out in the cold for the rest of the night…” Shimmer grumbled. Then she heard someone unlocking the door from behind.

Sunset opened it softly, and found Spike standing in front of her with the house keys in his mouth.  She patted the dog on her head and then headed over into the living room.  

There were all her friends, sleeping peaceful as if nothing had happened.  Sunset Shimmer joined them and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the sleeping bag.

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“MORNING, SUNSET!” Pinkie’s voice wailed.

Sunset darted into an upright position. Her tired eyes could see it was broad daylight, and everyone was up bright-eyed, huddling around her.

“What time is it?” Shimmer wondered.

“About Nine’o Clock.”  Twilight said. “You sure slept in longer than the rest of us.”

“Oh…” Sunset yawned “I better get ready then…”

Sunset got out of her sleeping bag and started to head for bathroom.  Only to be stopped by Rainbow Dash.

“Uh…Sunset? You’ve got….something on your back…”

“I’ll take care of it, whatever it is.” Sunset replied over her shoulder.  But now everyone was looking at it with surprise.

“Darling….there is holes in your night suit.” Rarity added.

“What? Where?” Sunset asked trying to get a better look.

Rarity looked in her bag for a mirror, and then had the girls take Sunset into the bathroom.  For a better look, Sunset was told to take of her shirt. She did so and saw holes in the back of it.

When Rarity came in with a small mirror, she told Sunset to look into it with her back towards the bathroom mirror.

Under her upper bra, and resembling two curves coming in a V-shaped formation, were two shiny, pink scars standing out from her skin.

Sunset shuddered at seeing this and dropped Rarity’s mirror.

“Sunset…what happened to you last night?” Twilight asked.  The girls hovered around Sunset looking more worried than ever.

Knowing that she couldn’t hide it, Sunset took a deep breath “Girls….You may think this is crazy…”

“Too crazy to be real? Just tell us; we’re used to crazy ideas that are real.” Rainbow Dash interrupted.

“Okay…apparently…the…demon I transformed into seven months ago….came back last night.” Sunset began, “While you guys were asleep, I was taken to the portal. Then, she began to transform me back into that monster…”

Sunset looked at the mirror behind her, glancing at her scars. “She almost did…”

“Sunset, is that demon coming back for yah?” Applejack wondered.

“No,” Sunset replied, firmly “…when she realized that she couldn’t take over me again, or convince me to surrender to her thinking…she just….became…a memory….”

There was long silence between all six friends in the bathroom, trying to take all what they had heard in in.

“Um…if…I could say something….” Fluttershy squeaked, prompting all eyes to look her. “I’m glad that you have changed for the better Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset Shimmer blushed.  “I’ll admit there are times where I want to go back to being bully.  Yet…a friend told me that eventually we accept change.  The demon never accepted that change until the end.”

Pinkie gave Sunset warm hug, only to make Sunset Shimmer flinch away from her.

“S-sorry…the scars kind of sting when you touch them.” Sunset confessed.

“No worries, Sunset.” Pinkie stated

Twilight handed Sunset a spare a spare tee-shirt to cover her scars.  

“Now that our demon problem has been dealt with, shall we chow down on some breakfast?” Applejack announced.

“Count me in.” Shimmer replied, throwing on the shirt and hiding her scars.

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In Equestria……

Your Majesty,

I bring you news regarding Project Portal.

I happy to report we are nearing success; the portal/mirror opened briefly and the test subject, Sea Spray, placed her hoof through the mirror – she could see it slowly transform into the human appendage known as a hand.

A few seconds later we were encountering some drawbacks.  One of our machines had short circuited, causing the portal to close. Another one exploded, setting Moondancer on fire. Sea spray is alright but she could have risked either having her hoof infused with the mirror or having it being severed.  However, the mirror remains unscratched and undamaged and has reverted back into its closed state.

I ask that you continue to fund us.  We just need more machines and ponies for roughly another two months. By then, then we should be able to know how the magic mirror functions and control it.

Also, as we are working on the magic mirror some of us, including myself, are starting to see images in the mirror as we work.  The individual reports of these ‘visions’ can be found in folder that was sent with this letter.

Your lead scientist on Project Portal,

Lyra Heartstrings

PS; It’s a personal honor to work on this project

Princess Celestia finished reading the letter as she sipped tea in the dining hall within Canterlot Castle.  It was good to hear that some advancement was occurring within the project.

Celestia’s intention behind the project to have the Sunset Shimmer from the human world (who she addressed as ‘Shimmer’ as to remind herself they weren’t the same) sent home. Celestia had a bad feeling about Shimmer.

Four months after the time Shimmer had arrived, Celestia had come to learn that Shimmer was starting to cast high-level unicorn spells and advance through her lessons at a quickened pace, without the magic of friendship.  She had also been a jerk to some of other students, feeling superior in her human heart.

At the same time, Celestia was mailed a notice from Zecora regarding a sight in the Everfree Forest. Zebra had seen a unicorn walk into the Ancient Castle of the Royal Sisters and stay in it in for six days. Her description of the unicorn had matched Shimmer’s appearance.

Celestia was worried Sunset’s unusually quick progression in magic was connected to her journey into the Castle of the Everfree Forest.  Celestia couldn’t ask Shimmer about it, because if Shimmer felt that somepony was prying into her agenda, it would cause her to feel threatened and start using her magic dangerously. For now, Shimmer was going about her private lessons and acting like there was nothing wrong.

Once the portal could be accessed manually, Celestia also hoped to lock Shimmer up in that world for good.  Twilight had told her that magic couldn’t work in the other world unless an Element of Harmony was bought into it, so Shimmer wouldn’t be as great of a threat.

The princess blamed herself for believing that this human Sunset Shimmer would never come to be as evil as the other Sunset once had.

Finishing her tea and setting off to her bedroom with the mail from Project Portal, Celestia didn’t want to think about what Shimmer found in the Castle of the Royal Sisters.

‘The sooner the portal is up and running, the sooner I can rid myself of this worry’ she though, putting the folder of private reports under her wing.  With her magic She crumpled up the letter, the turned it into ashes, and dumped those ashes into a bin.  A royal guard patrolling the night strolled down the hall towards her.

“Dispose of this material immediately.”  Celestia commanded, gesturing to the bin

“Yes, your highness.” The guard said in his gruff tone, bowing.

As soon as Celestia was out of sight, the guard teleported himself and the contents of the bin to Shimmer’s quarters.

“Oh, I never get tired of fooling her with my disguise spell.”  The guard said, in a sly female voice.  His horn glowed and then his disguise fell away, similar to changeling’s ability to mimic other ponies, revealing Shimmer underneath.

Shimmer concentrated her magic on the ashes she had collected from the bin.  Slowing the particles clung to one another, each forming into a piece of the letter and then reconnecting with other pieces.

After she had read the reassembled letter, Shimmer had decided that two months was more than enough time to wait for a good moment to strike at Equestria’s leaders.

'Those stupid horses won’t see it coming…' she thought to herself