In human world….

“Flash, just take it easy …” Spike stated, in his dog-like form.

Flash Sentry was in confusion as he eyed every bit of his appearance. His guard armor was, much to his dismay, gone and replaced with jeans, a jacket, and shirt.

Twilight was still wearing her flashy pink and white prom dress from the Fall Formal and carried a backpack that held the crown in it.

“…there is no reason to fear anything. We just came through the portal” Twilight assured Flash. “Now, our first step is locating Sunset Shimmer. She is the only unicorn I know of that can make use of the Element of Magic.”

“What if we run into one of our human counterparts?” Flash asked.

“Then we’ll just have to hope we can avoid making a scene.”  Twilight replied, walking in the direction of the newly constructed entrance to Canterlot High.

“Well…Sunset sure was busy.” Twilight mumbled, seeing the new look of school.

As she walked on her two legs towards the doors, Flash and Spike clawed behind her.

“Uh…technically humans aren’t classified as animals. So you have to walk on two legs. At least I think that’s why.” Spike specified.

“Like This?” Flash asked, standing up slowly and taking a few steps forward.  A few steps later and he seemed to not have any balancing issues at all.

However, it started raining and the Equestrians rushed over to the front entrance. Twilight struggled to open the door, only to find it locked.

“Okay… any ideas?” Twilight wondered.

Flash though about it “We could….break down the doors with our backlegs”

“Uh no.” Twilight shook her head “Damage here takes longer to repair than damage in Equestria, where you have magic and wings. So breaking anything will cause people to be very mad.”

“How else are going to get in?” Spike asked.

Just then a car pulled up infront of the school, its lights fixed on the two human and the dog. The driver stepped out of the car and rushed towards them in a drenched rain coat.

“Friend of yours?” Flash asked.

When the figure approached them, she had stunned look on her face, as though she were in dream. Her wise purple eyes winded, and her slalom color lips dropped upon seeing them. A few streaks of lavender, pink, and blonde hair trailed down her face.

Twilight shook her head. “No…But I can guess who this is….”

The figure then looked as if she was going to start crying tears of joy.

“T-twilight…? Flash…?”

The down pour started to increase, its sound ceasing distant traffic sounds.  As rhythm of the drops increased and grew louder, The Equestrians seemed to be taken back by this strange woman who appeared before them.

“Uh….we never met before…” Twilight stated.

“I’m….Ms. Cadenza?  How…. How come you don’t remember me?  And…why are you two out of hospital so soon?” She asked her eyes drifting between Flash and Twilight.  Flash looked to Twilight, feeling completely confused. Twilight was biting her lip unsure of what to say.

Spike stepped forward. “Uh…hey…Principal Cadence? How goes the….schooling?”

Cadence observed the talking dog in front of her wide-eyed.

“Oh….I think I’m dreaming…” Cadenza said, clutching her head. Twilight was a little sorry that her first encounter with the Candace of this world was treated as alien.

“We’re real.” Flash stated. “Do you have a means of unlocking these doors? As you can see we are all cold.”

Candenza nodded, and her shivering hand reached into her pocket and pulled out a key chain with several keys and a tiny crystal heart wrapped around it.

“Thanks….” Twilight replied.

“Y-yes Twilight…” Cadenza stammered, opening the door. “I’m just surprised to see you…alive and in your prom dress….I’m not dreaming am I?”

Once inside the familiar hallway, Twilight said “Cadence, We’ll explain all of this once I can start looking for Sunset Shimmer.”

“Sunset Shimmer?”  Cadenza stated “She…she was just ending her shift Smoothie Cube Corer.  She should be home soon….Why?”

Twilight warped an arm around the tall pink human and whispered to her “Cadenza. Let me clear things up; first off, how much do you know about Equestria?”

“Equestria?” Cadenza wondered “Sunset said something about it…being a world filled with ponies.”

“So you've heard of it?” Twilight asked.

Cadence nodded “I found out about it…from you and several others…”

‘Not me…not exactly’ Twilight thought

“And second...you know the base of that statue?  That is a portal to Equestria. In there, everyone has pony counterparts that mirror their personality. I’m the Twilight from that world.  And assuming you know about her friend’s too, I have bought the Spike and Flash Sentry from that world because Equestria in danger. We need to find Shimmer because Equestria is in danger…”

After Twilight explained non-stop for a few minutes longer, Cadence nodded, showing her understanding

“Good.  Now…where can I find Sunset’s house?” Twilight asked

But Cadenza was silently starring back at Twilight.

“Cadence?”

“S-sorry…” Cadenza replied, wiping a tear from your eye.  “It’s just that…. You and Flash nearly died.”

“Died?!” Echoed Flash and Twilight

Cadence sat down the hallway floor and explained “Recently…the Twilight…and Flash of this world….they…they…they were caught in collision.  Help….didn’t come in time. Sunset said she was just talking to them as soon as they crashed.”

“A crash with what?” Flash asked.

“Human transports; a collision occurs when two or more high speed human transports get into a dangerous wreck.  I read in it the library.”  Twilight explained “Sorry to interrupt Cadence.”

“It’s alright….anyway, Sunset…I don’t know why she didn’t call earlier…but maybe it was because she was shocked.  I couldn’t speak to anyone for a long time…because…I always kept thinking of those two…”

Twilight rested a hand on Cadence’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss Cadenza. But I need to find Sunset Shimmer.”

“Of…of…course…” Cadenza stated “You may want to try asking Mr. and Ms. Cake down at Sugar cube corner. I don’t know where she lives.”

“Okay…let’s roll.”  Flash declared.

Just then Twilight tugged the collar of Flash’s jacket.  “Wait a minute, Hedgehog. I need change out of this prom dress if we are going to be walking out in the rain.”

Hedgehog was one of Twilight’s many nicknames for Flash.

“And maybe some wigs so people don’t think you’re the same Twilight and Flash that are in the hospital.” Spike added.

The human Cadence stood up and said in confident voice “I know just the place for a quick chance of clothes.”

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

Cadence knocked lightly on the principal’s office.

“Come in.” Said a familiar voice.  

“Is that…” Flash wondered.

“Yeah…Celestia is a Principal.  It makes sense when you think about it.” Spike informed.

The door open and Celestia appeared.  At first she was astonished to see Cadence with the company of Twilight and Flash and Spike, but then her expression calmed down and gave a small smile.

“Let me guess: From Equestria?”

“Yeah.” Flash nodded.

“Then welcome back, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”  Principal Celestia greeted giving a quick bow.

“Just Twilight, please.” Twilight requested entering the office with everyone else in tow.  “I’m just going to be here briefly because Flash and I…need…”

“A disguise?” Celestia asked. “Well if you two would follow me I might have something in the cabinet.”

The white human guided the two Equestrians and spike over to closet.  Inside was an unorganized set of sneakers, jackets, and all sorts of clothing.

“This cabinet is for people who underdress themselves or need a spare jacket or gloves.  Take your pick.”

“Alright -” Flash stated, being to take off his jacket and his shirt. However, Twilight stopped him when he was pulling up his shirt revealing part his worked-out thorax.

“Remember what I said about human nakedness?” Twilight stated.  Her cheeks were blushing red as her hands gripped Flash’s shirt from behind.

“Oh…sorrry….is.” Flash stated, now blushing intensely too with Twilight arms on her shoulder and reaching across his shirt. “I’ll…just pick first.”

Meanwhile, Spike was observing Ms. Cadenza take off her rain jacket.   The human curves had revealed some sense of beauty built into them and her multi-colored hair gleamed when it was partly wet.  Those traits made Spike think more fondly of Rarity.

“Its…so…weird….that two days after I that collision, I speak with Sunset Shimmer for the first time and meet the same Equestrians of two people that just got hurt. I just wish it was sunny day rather than a summer storm.” Cadence murmured.

“Sunset Shimmer is taking it hard, huh?” Spike asked.

Cadence nodded to the talking dog before “Yes….She is….a little harder than most of us…”

“What are you and Celestia doing here anyway? Isn’t the school closed for the summer?” Spike asked.

“We’re here to help create new schedules for students next year.” Cadence sighed “It’s a really tiring process.”

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

Cadence drove Spike, Twilight, and Flash to Smoothie Cube Corner.  The downpour had increased and Twilight was worried that the town could flood.

“Okay so I’ll park the car and you can go in and ask one of the employees about where Shimmer lives.” Cadenza advised.

“Got it,” replied Twilight Sparkle. who was wearing a green shirt, thin jeans, and a black rain jacket. Flash picked out a brown trench coat and a baseball hat.

“I’m staying here.” Spike said from the shotgun seat. “No point in going out in the cold.”

So Twilight and Flash ran from Cadenza’s car and through the doors of Smoothie Cube Corner.

Behind the counter stood Pinkie, serving out smoothies to the rest of her friends. Despite most of them having their backs turned to Twilight, she could assume that they were sadden from how they were hunch over and avoiding eye contact.

“Excuse me….” Twilight began nervously.

Then all five faces spun around and looked at Twilight and Flash. They gazed back as though they were in a dream.

“Woah…these humans are your friends?” Flash stated.

“Yup.” Twilight replied.

“Is that…” Rarity began, tears swelling up in her eyes.

“It’s sure is!” Applejack grinned.

A smile was starting to widen across Pinkie’s face.

“TWILIGHT! AND FLASH!  YOU’RE NOT DEAD!” Pinkie shouted jumping over the counter and hugging them tightly.

“Can’t…breath!” Flash wheezed , his face turning paler that it already was from Pinkie’s hug.

“Pinkie, I’m…the Princess Twilight.”  Twilight explained to the human.

Pinkie released her hug, shocked. “You’re…what?!”

It took longer than expected to explain, but Twilight told the five high school students that she and Flash were the Equestrian counterparts. She also told them about Sunset’s human counterpart taking over Equestria and that she needed to know where Sunset Shimmer was.

“How come you’re looking for her only?” Dash asked.

Twilight pulled The Element of Magic from her back pack. “Shimmer casted a spell on it so that the element is linked to her only.” She said, indicating to emerald sun-shaped jewel on the crown “But that should mean that Sunset is able to use it, too. Now where is she?”

The girls looked at each other and then at Twilight.

“Well?” Twilight asked Impatient.

“If you want to talk to Sunset, she’s in the girls bathroom.  She was about to leave Smoothie Cube Corner but then we came along and wanted to turn that frown of her’s upside down….but she just kept crying.” Pinkie stated.

“I’ll…I’ll speak to her.” Twilight said. “In the meantime Flash, Could you stay here with these humans?”

“Uh…Yes ma’am….” Flash replied, though he did seem nervous about standing in front of five alien girls while Twilight walked into the bathroom.  She made sure that icon of the person on it was a dress-donning figure before proceeding.

“Well, howdy Flash. Name’s Applejack, though I bet you met my pony counterpart.” Applejack said, tipping her hat.

Flash took and a deep breath and gave his signature Smile.  “Yeah...you know you aren’t much different form your pony counterpart.  In fact none of you are.”

“Well, you’re quite a handsome young gentle man….like your human counterpart.” Rarity flirted.

“Well, I am Twilight’s royal guard.”

“Twilight’s royal guard?” Grinned Rainbow Dash “You watch her even when she sleeps?”

Flash blushed “No, no way….I…that’s… creepy. I would lose my job.”

Fluttershy squeaked “If you don’t mind me asking…but is Twilight your girlfriend?”

“Uh…special somepony specifically.” Flash stated, blushing.

The girls launched into pack of awes and giggles.

Back in Cadenza’s car, Spike’s caught the faintest giggle from Rarity’s voice.

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

Twilight entered the girls’ bathroom, which didn’t look much different from the school bathroom, except all the wall and floor tiles were white.

Just like the room of an asylum for mentally insane ponies Twilight thought wildly.

A rectangular stall took up both corners of the bathroom, leaving only gaps below and above the stall wall.  Twilight could see that there were two feet within the stall.  The Equestrian would’ve crawled under the stall just to see if it was Sunset, were it not for the sniffling coming from behind the door.

“Uh…Sunset?” Twilight asked.

The sniffing stopped.  And then there was silence.

“Who’s there?” asked Sunset’s voice. It reminded Twilight of sunset crying in the ditch after she faced the Magic of Friendship.

“It’s Twilight! Princess Twilight Sparkle. I need to speak with you.” Twilight called out.

Sunset Shimmer remained in her stall.  Twilight could hear some more whimpering on the other end.

“Sunset…Equestria needs you!” Twilight begged “Your double Sunset Shimmer is planning to take over Equestria! You are the only pony who can use the Element of Magic!”

Just then Twilight could hear the stall door being unlocked from the inside.  When it opened Twilight was surprised to find Shimmer angered.  Tears still streaked down her face.  Her eyes were red with hate and shame.

“Get….LOST!” Sunset yelled and slammed the stall door in Twilight’s face.  A few moments later, Twilight continued to hear Shimmer’s weeping.

“Sunset?” Twilight called out, yet the weeping continued.

Taking a deep breath and putting on stern face, Twilight opened the unlocked stall door.  She found Sunset on the side huddled up into a ball on top of a toilet seat.

Twilight edged closer and gently said “Sunset…what’s wrong?”

Then Sunset jumped off her toilet seat and rammed a fist into the fist of Twilight’s face.   Then the angry teenager pinned Twilight to floor.  

The she began to choke Twilight, both crying and shouting “I said I was sorry WHY DO YOU COMING BACK TO ME!?!”

Sunset’s bitten fingernails dig further into Twilight neck.   Meanwhile, Twilight eyes widened in confusion and shock, as if Princess Shimmer in Equestria seemed to be just a bad dream compared to this one.

“YOU’RE DEAD AND YOU SHOULD STAY DEAD!” Sunset shouted her squeeze on Twilight’s neck tighten and tightening.

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

Everyone heard screams coming from the girl’s bathroom.

“Sunset has been on the edge lately…but it can’t be anything bad….I think…” Pinkie said.

Flash eyed the door as he continued to hear more screams, but before he could march forward. Rainbow tugged him back.

“Dude…that’s a girl’s bathroom.” Rainbow said.

“I’m a guard.  I can pull rank on norm.” Flash sternly replied, shrugging off Rainbow’s arm.

Then Ms. Cadenza came through the front doors of Smoothie Cube Corner, carrying Spike in her arms.

“Hello girls.” Ms. Cadenza greeted, showing a smile of shiny, tiny teeth.

And “Helloooo, Rarity” Spike smirked.

All the girls were suddenly attracted to Spike, distracting them from Flash, who started to march towards the bathrooms again.

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

“What…are you talking about!?” Twilight gasped

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” Sunset shouted now trying to punch Twilight in the face with one hand while griping The Equestrian’s neck with the other.

“Sun-GAH-Sunset!” Twilight screeched, as Sunset delivered blows to her eyes, nose, and mouth. Twilight could feel a tooth start to loosen and tear leaking from her eyes.

Sunset continued to throw punches but her punches slowed and eventually the orange human gave into tears again.

Just then, Flash came out of nowhere and yanked Sunset off of Twilight. As he did so, he rammed Sunset into the wall and pinned her arms by her shoulders painfully.

“What is this about, Huh?!” Flash shouted into Sunset’s face, his voice ringing in Sunset’s ears.   His red face and narrowed eyes signaled that his combative instincts taking over. Sunset continued to weep as Flash kept bombarded sunset with the same questions.

“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO HER!?” Flash shouted.

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I…I didn’t mean to…” Sunset cried, looking away from Flash.

“FOR CELESTIA’S SAKE WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!”

“I said I’m sorry! I love you Flash!” Sunset cried.

Twilight was terrified to see Flash like this acting like this.  She had never seen him in action – or enraged. But what did Sunset mean exactly by ‘loving Flash’?

Standing up, Twilight shouted “Flash, Leave her alone! She’s just confused.”

Twilight could have pulled her rank on Flash’s by saying ‘that’s an order’.  But she didn’t dare do such a thing on a close friend.

Flash, upon hearing Twilight’s word, loosened his grip on Sunset. Sunset trebled and collapsed in front of Flash’s knees.

“I’m sorry! I….I didn’t…mean to kill…you…please…..Forgive me….” Sunset wept.

Flash just stared back her, unsure of how to help the human before him.

Twilight came over and helped Sunset up gently onto her knees. As Twilight gave a soft smile, some of the bruises on face started to ache.

“Is….is everything alright in there, Princess?” Applejack asked from outside.

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

A few minutes later Sunset was resting her aching head on the counter with Cadenza massaging it.

“So …Flash and Twilight…have come here because they needed my help….” Sunset said.  She hadn’t said a word after the brawl in the bathroom until now.

“Yes.” Cadenza replied.

“I…I can’t believe it….” Sunset replied “…its…I...all this is….”

“Hush now,” Cadenza said. “When you’re ready you can tell everyone.  But no matter what we still love you.”

Sunset sniffled “Why should I love me?”

On the other side of the dining room, Flash was silently applying ointment to Twilight’s face.  The five rest of the humans huddled around them silently.

“I’m…sorry you had to see me like that Twilight.” Flash admitted.

“You should say sorry to Sunset. We need her help and she has been through something rough recently.” Twilight replied.

Flash’s angered eyes looked away from Twilight.  His coated hands rested on both of Twilight’s cheeks when he said. “Understood.”

“Look at me Flash – please tell me it’s still you.”

Flash forced himself to look up and relaxed his expression, but didn’t smile. He gave a nod.

Twilight gave Flash a quick kiss on his head, whispering “Thank you for at least protecting me.”

Flash shrugged “It’s okay…but what did Sunset mean that she loved me?”

“She loves the other you, Duh!” Pinkie Pie stated happily. She pulled up a picture of Flash and Sunset kissing in front of the new entrance. “See! You two make such an adorable couple….even though she is pony too.”

Flash eyed the picture curiously “Am I really that…”

“Handsome? Yes.” Twilight chimed.

“I was gonna say pale. It’s as if the guy is color of butter.” Flash stated, joking.

Pinkie scrolled through her pictures some more. “Oh and here is a funny picture with your counterpart Twilight and her new ‘First and Friend Forever.’”

The next picture was of an angry Twilight and Sunset in a Spa room glaring back at the viewers, with Pinkie’s thumb partially obscured the picture.

“That’s me?” Twilight guessed, pointing her human counterpart.

“Yup…but she has two left brains, apparently.”  Pinkie stated. She flipped her phone through some more pictures.

“And these the war-scars Sunset got.” The picture was of Sunset, playfully modeling in bikini, her back to the viewers. Two faint scars were between the top and bottom of her suit

Twilight blushed in embarrassment as Flash was gazing at the picture, though he couldn’t comprehend meaning behind the wet and bare human curves were trying to convey.

“You guys have wars here?” Flash looked around.  The area seemed as peaceful as Equestria.

“I was over exaggerating” Pinkie explained. “But she got those cuts through a crazy story.”

Meanwhile Rarity cuddled Spike in her arms, “So do tell me more what the situation is like back at your home.”

“Are those little ponies in trouble?” Fluttershy asked.

“Don’t worry, ponies always get into trouble in Equestria.” Spike shrugged.

“So why come to me?”

The one who had asked was Sunset Shimmer, who approached her friends and the Equestrians. Her cheeks were damp and her eyes were sore, almost glowing in red.

Twilight pulled out the crown from her back pack. “This here is why Sunset.”

Sunset eyed the crown which had emerald jewel of shimmering sun. “I don’t follow.”

“This is the Element of Magic.  Your double has taken over the crystal empire and has cut my link to my element and my Alicorn powers. Equestria is in peril.”

Sunset sighed “That’s nothing new.”

“Well, it appears that you may be the only other pony who can use this Element of Harmony!” Twilight shirked. She even surprised that Sunset hadn’t considered that she had her very own element now.

Sunset crossed her arms and through for moment.

“Why should I bother?”

“What?” Twilight, Spike, and Flash gasped.

“I said why should I bother? Princess Celestia ditched me, while ‘principal’ Celestia gave me a second chance. Besides, Celestia is the most power being in all of Equestria so why not go to her first?”

“Well, Celestia just took a huge beating as we were running for our lives. And most of royals have been weakened by Shimmer’s power.” Flash explained.

Sunset paused for a moment then stated. “I’m not going back.”

“Could we bribe you with gems? At least two?” Spike offered

Sunset shook her head.

“Sunset what has gotten into you?” Rarity demanded.

“Is this because of what happened Twilight and Flash?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“NO!” Sunset shouted, taking everyone by surprise.

“I…I mean…not really….” Sunset shrugged.

“Is there something we should know about?” Rainbow Dash said.

Sunset looked away and said “Yes.”

Cadenza pulled a chair up and Sunset began her tale.

“Recently, Flash and I have been having a rough time with our relationship.  Two days ago I called up Flash on my cellphone because my motor bike was being repaired and I was done with my afternoon shift, wanting a ride home. I was surprised to find Twilight – the other Twilight – on the receiving end….”

“Time out; What’s a ‘cell’-phone?” Flash asked.  Sunset flipped out her phone as an example and snapped a picture of Flash.

Sunset continued “Anyway, Twilight said that she and Flash were driving back from a presentation at the city institution.  I was furious with Twilight because it seemed that Flash was going out with her and not me.  So I got angry, I just….lost it…”

“Sunset…why?” Cadenza wondered. “You were as calm as Fluttershy months ago.  Why were you so mad?”

“In February, I told Flash I was thinking about going back to Equestria. And a few months later, Twilight tells me she has hidden feelings for Flash. So I thought Flash had hooked up with another girl, probably one that reminded him of some’pony’ who he had a liking for.” Sunset explained glaring at Princess Twilight and Royal Guard Flash.

“You can’t judge what people like, Sunset.” Flash replied.

Sunset eyes narrowed at Flash “You’re not my Flash Sentry.  You don’t know what it meant to me when we got together again.”

“Anyway back to the story.” Applejack interrupted, not wanting another fight to start up.

Sunset inhaled and continued “So, Twilight and I have this back and forth argument on whether or not Flash is in love with me. Then Flash snatches the phone from Twilight and begins to shout at me for being so naïve. Then we start yelling over the phone for a few seconds. Gosh we were so mad, that Flash forgot that he was driving his car on the highway….”

“…the crash…” Twilight realized

“…I heard a honk over the phone.  Next was a crash and Twilight was screaming at the top of her lungs. Almost as if the tragedy was in slow motion, I could hear it all – the screams, the glass shattering, the tires screeching, the air bags releasing, Flash’s car spinning out of control….and then more crashes and horns blaring came. I heard it all over the phone.  Then I….I…I didn’t hear another thing for a while.  I was in shock over what I had just done.  I thought I had killed my two best friends.  A half an hour passed before I called up everyone else and told them what had happened.  Then my motor cycle was repaired and I drove to the crash scene.  Flash’s wrecked car was in the center of a smoking wreck. An ambulance was carrying away the wounded and the police, including Officer Shining Armor, were there to direct people away from the scene.  While I was there I managed to pick up Flash’s phone before the Police could get a hold of it...”

Within her leather jacket, Sunset pulled out a black and blue smartphone with cracked screen.

“..I…I didn’t want to be held accountable for another crime. Once I came home…I…I wanted to see if Flash really was in love with Twilight….when I pulled up some notes on his phone, Flash stated that he was making plans – surprise plans – to cancel going on a country tour with his band and spend time with me wherever I went, even into Equestria. I couldn’t forgive myself after that.  I cried….and…everyone seemed to be so depressed for the next few days. It was hard trying to talk to Twilight’s family.  Gosh, they were so proud of her….and Flash was loved by everyone in town for his good nature….They kept coming back in my dreams demanding to know why I put them in that crash.  I couldn’t sleep without going through several nightmares.

"But nobody could guess why they got into that crash….until, Officer Shining came into my apartment yesterday to ask me why I had known about the crash beforehand. So I lied to him that Twilight was talking to me on the phone and our conversation had nothing to with Flash’s driving. In return, he told me that Flash and Twilight had a slim chance to live.  Then I decided to visit them after work….today…”

Sunset finished her story. With Twilight and the others glancing back in in several emotions. Even Cadenza seemed to be shaken.

Without another word, Sunset snatched the bag from Twilight and proceeded out the door.

“Sunset why-”

Sunset glared at Twilight “It’s my element  - I might as well keep the darn thing from turning me into a monster. I’ll be at the magic mirror within an hour.”

Sunset then headed for the door.  Fluttershy tried to give a hug but Sunset brushed her away, without looking at her.

Outside in the pouring rain, The Equestrian and humans could see Sunset make her way to her motorcycle and drive down the street.

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

In Equestria….

Shimmer grumbled in disappointment as she flew across the Crystal Empire.  Her plan to instantly conquer the rest of Equestria failed in the first few seconds.

She had teleported back to Canterlot, only to find herself surrounded by the royal guard.  Despite efforts to brush past them and overrule protocols, Shimmer made it only as far as to the castle entrance where her horn was stuck by a bolt from coming from Luna, who was hiding behind a cloud

Despite the bolt being powerless (since it came from alicorn filly), it disrupted Sunset’s magic, causing her Celestia-disguise to flicker away. Then somepony with the guard’s to shout “Crepuscular!” and surrounded her with spears.

However, before anypony could make another move, Shimmer had flown off, leaving a trail of sparks within the air. Looking back to Canterlot, none had dared to pursue her.

But now the element of surprise was no longer on Shimmer’s side. She was also furious that she didn’t put up a fight before retreating. Or that she had retreated at all, since going back would make her look like she had forgotten to fight.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid HORSES!” Shimmer roared, causing her mane to explode out white-hot sparks.

Also what was the point in calling her ‘Crepuscular?’ was it a new name for her?  A new title?

‘Princess Crepusculara Shimmer…’ the fiery alicorn thought to herself. ‘A new beginning for me. And the new beginning for the new era of Equestria led by me!’

“Hi!”

Crepusculara Shimmer found a grey pegasus with blonde mane flying behind her blazing tail. She was tugging a bag filled with letters by her neck and chest and her mail cap was about to fall off.

“Can you direct me to the Crystal Empire?” The pegsus asked.

“Sod off, Blondie.” Crepusculara Shimmer scoffed and resumed her course.

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

“‘Crepuscular’ is a code word the guard made in the event that some pony is impersonating as the royals, ma’am.”  Colt-Shining Armor explained to Luna.  He was the one who was shouted out Crepuscular within the group of guards. Even as a clot he too wanted to participate.

“That’s quite a mouthful.” Luna replied, flying down from her cloud and into the circle of Shining’s royal guards

“With all due respect, ‘Spy’ is too obvious…ma’am” Shining grinned.

“Back to the situation at hoof, all we know is that Shimmer has taken over the Crystal Empire...and that Celestia has been defeated.” Luna stated

“So now what?” One of the guards asked..

“I will look for my sister….And Shining Armor will have you guard Twilight’s friends.” Luna ordered, taking flight.

Shining rushed over to her “Your highness, you’ll need-”

“No escort is needed. Not for what will happen next” Luna replied as she continued to fly.

“But Shimmer is still out there!” Shining argued.

Luna kept flying away, whispering “Exactly.”

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

Shimmer saw that the mail pegasus was still trailing behind her, only now as hypnotized slave.

“Muuuuuuuffiiiiins…Muuuuuffiiiiins….Muuuuffiiiins…”

“Shut up, please.” Shimmer groaned.  But the mail pegsus kept moaning ‘muffins.’

Finally Shimmer couldn’t take it anymore and fired up a blast from her horn.  It hit the mail pegasus in the chest, sending her mail bag and cap flying down into the ground below.

Hovering in mid-air was a grey muffin, sprinkled with blonde dots.

“Well…I guess this day calls for a glorious feast.” Shimmer chimed, bringing the muffin over to her.  She opened he fangs and-

“SUNSET SHIMMER!”

A twinkling indigo blur zipped right across Shimmer’s eyes, snatching the muffin out of her reach.