Chapter 45 – Mirror Mirror

It had been a few days since Twilight's coronation and Equestria was abuzz with the news. Both of the new princess as well as the bride to be. Oh dear god, did I get an ear full from everyone. Which most of it boiled down to 'why didn't you tell me?' Well besides Fluttershy saying congrats and Pinkie doing the whole 'who is going to plan it' barrage. Which was short lived as we still had the coronation party to go through. Which was fine, with everything considered. I had already done a little planning ahead of time and asked a few of the girls if they would be willing to help out with this wedding. As you can expect I got a very loud set of yes's from them. Especially Rarity who 'offered' to make the wedding dress. I say offer more like jumped down our throats with it as Twilight said she would expect no pony else. That left only one this that needed to be figured out.

Where are we going to have the wedding? Honestly, we didn't know, and that was part of the reason why we came to the Crystal Empire early. We wanted to window shop for a location. We were supposed to be back at the castle in a few hours so Twilight and I went to see the city, which is something we haven't really done. Unlike Canterlot, the Crystal Empire didn't have a main shopping district so we decided to browse around. We spend maybe a fourth of the day at a few of the bookstores getting ourselves some new reading material, as it was hard to draw Twilight out of the history section. Admittedly Twilight had to lift me up magically out of the magic section. We also had a few of the guards with us to 'protect' us. Which was fine as most of them had gone through the retraining, but some of them are real chatty about Spike.

It was maybe a few hours into the trip we came across Spike's statue holding up the Crystal Heart. When I inquired about it, I got a better rundown of the Sombra event from Twilight. The reason why Spike was hailed as the hero was that he was the one that got the Crystal Heart to Cadence. Which was kind of cool to hear, I mean I would have preferred for all of them get equal parts of the credit. But I can understand why he got it. Course that wasn't going to stop me giving the little guy some guff about it when he came up with the girls.

Regardless, we were in the middle of our lunch with Twilight having a rather tasty looking pasta. While I decided to go with a rather superb soup. As it was made with a dragon in mind, and the decor of the place was rather nice. The Crystal Cauldron as the place was called was done up to look like an alchemy lab with each table designed to be a table made from crystal cauldrons. The table itself was a rather translucent glass and the cauldron would have a special liquid that would change every so often causing the delusion in the glass to light up the place. Which I have to admit was a rather clever way to design the place. Especially when they had little alchemy books as the menus. We had sat there eating for the most part, as Twilight went over the pros and cons of Canterlot and the Crystal Empire.

To be honest, I really didn't have much say on this one. Mainly as I don't really have that many fond memories of either place and I don't have the history with them, unlike Twilight. That and I was letting Twilight do all of the picking as I wanted to be the way she dreamed her wedding to be. Part of the reason I was doing this was that if mares are anything like some of the women from earth, I don't want to cross that line... ever.

"I just don't know where would be a good place." She said groaning as she looked over her organized chaos.

"Twilight, it's alright to be unsure. We aren't getting married within a week. So we have the time to decide, and you never know. The perfect place may just pop up when you least expect it." I said before I finished off my soup.

"I know, but there is so much left to do. I mean we need to send the invites for a place we haven't decided yet. Pick out the food for the reception that we haven't pick the location for either. Then the dress itself and the bridesmare dresses, don't forget your tux. Then pick the best mare for either one of us-" She went on as I could see her mane begin to frizz out a bit.

"Well, I was thinking of asking Shining to be my best man," I said as I reached for my drink.

"Best man?" Twilight asked.

"I think the closest here for the groom is the 'best mare'? He has quite a few jobs where he leads the groomsmen or groomstallions, help shop for the formalwear and coordinates the purchases, serves as counselor and confidant, coordinate travel and accommodations and-" I began to explain before Twilight cut me off with.

"And help set up the bachelor party, help the guests, and attend pre-wedding events and so forth. Yeah, that sounds like the best mare. It's interesting that stallions or 'men' on earth were set to do that job." Twilight said rolling up her list.

"Well I mean it was within the name, and honestly I'm not sure how the tradition started."

"Then if I may ask, not ask somepony like Cadence, Princess Celestia-"

"You know you don't have to use her title right?"

"But calling the princess anything other than her title is just... rude." She said looking a little worried.

"Whatever you say Princess Twilight." I shot back with a smirk.

"None of... that. Oh..." She said realizing what I was doing. "That was a little mean." She said with a huff as she crossed her forelegs over her chest.

"I was just doing to prove a point. Twilight, Celestia, and Luna are just ponies like every pony else. Even if you take title into account then Celestia, Luna, Cadence, you and I are on the same tier." I said calmly.

"I know but... I've always seen Celestia on a-"

"Pedestal?" I said already guessing her thoughts on this.

"Yeah..."

"Sounds familiar isn't it?" I comment knowing full well she did know where I was going with this.

"But that's an entirely different thing Storm."

"Is it?" I asked. "Because where I stand you girls have saved Equestria countless time, have been invited to countless big events not limited to the grand galloping gala, a royal wedding, and more. Not counting that you became an alicorn by discovering new magic. Seems like a pretty high pedestal to me."

"Still... I don't want to be treated like any pony special." She said looking worried as I watched her bite her bottom lip as she laid her hooves back onto the table. I gently rested my left hoof on her right, she just looked at it for a few moments as a sigh escaped her lips. "I get it. Then pri... I mean Celestia wants to be treated like a normal mare."

"That's what anyone in her position ever wants. Why do you think I avoid using her title as much as possible. Even my sister isn't a fan of hearing queen all day." I commented.

"I know..." After that, the two of us paid our bill and left to pick up the girls from the train station. This including Spike who was wearing a trench coat, an afro wig, black sunglasses, and was holding a newspaper in front of himself. "Okay, I have to ask. What's with the getup Spik-"

"Shh, don't say my name out loud!" He exclaimed in a whisper as he jumped up onto my back. "If the ponies here see me, then I'm going to be swamped by ponies wanting autographs from 'Spike the brave'." He said and I couldn't help but try and I want to stress 'try' to hide my snort. Spike the brave, seriously?

"Seriously?" I asked as I magically lifted Spike onto my back. Normally Twilight would be the one letting Spike ride on her. But I figured I would give her a little break.

"Yeah, after the whole saving the Crystal Empire they worship me, even made a giant statue of me." He said sounding quite proud of that. I couldn't take the piss out of him for that one. After seeing him taking the hit like a man when he screwed up with sending back the gem. I just didn't have the heart to tease him about it right now, course that's not saying I won't another time. "So how's the Crystal Empire?" Spike asked.

"It's rather nice, and found this rather nice restaurant that you may like."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, it's called the Crystal Cauldron, they have some gemstone seasoned dishes." After I said that I could hear Spike's stomach growl behind me. "It sounds like someone didn't eat."

"Na just didn't have my fill." He said and I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Well good thing that we all are staying in the castle," I said as we made our way to the castle. The walk to the castle itself wasn't anything special, just a bit of site seeing. That was till we got close to where the crystal heart normally floated at.

“Hoo-wee! Your very first princess summit. You must be over the moon, Twilight.” Applejack said with a smile on her face.

“ Oh, I am excited. But, to be honest.” Twilight began looking rather happy before the look of worry began to fill her face. “I'm a little nervous, too.” That's right about when Pinkie decided to chime in.

“You're 'nervicited'! It's like you wanna jump up and down and yell 'YAY ME!!'” she said bouncing higher then I've seen anypony bounce. Come to think about it, I don't think I see a lot of ponies bouncing other than Pinkie. With how high she was jumping, I could swear she was part pegasi. “But you also wanna curl up in a teeny-tiny ball and hide at the same time!” She continued rolling into a ball rocking back and forth like a bassinet. That was before she awkwardly unballed herself making a sound I never expected to come from her before she went over and ruffled Twilight's mane saying. “We've all been there!”

“Did... did she just make the-” Shadow began to say in my head.

“The transformer sound? Yeah... I think she did.” I replied over the link as I lost track of the conversation for a few moments as I couldn't help but worry for Shadow and I's sanity... or lack of at this point. That was until I hear Rarity shout loud enough to knock us back into paying attention for a moment.

“TWILIGHT! Oh, sorry, darling, but I just realized you're not wearing your crown. You haven't forgotten it back in Ponyville, have you?” She said looking completely worried.

“It's in my bag in our room. I just feel a little self-conscious about wearing it.” Twilight said looking a little awkward as she spread her wings for a moment. “And I haven't really gotten accustomed to these yet, either.” We watched Twilight try and take off using her wings. The one thing Twilight just can't seem to wrap her head around is her form.

“You are a princess now, Twilight. Embrace it!” Rarity exclaimed with a smile. “I'm telling you, if I had a crown like that, I would never take it off. Why I'd sleep in the thing.”

“I wouldn't recommend that,” I commented.

“But why not darling?” Rarity asked looking confused.

“Besides the fact that it would come off your head as you move. It's not comfortable to sleep on gems and metal as it's poking you. That and some ponies don't like always wearing their royal gear.”

“Is that why we rarely see you wearing your regalia?” Fluttershy asked.

“Eeyup. Don't get me wrong, when I'm dealing with royal duties is one thing.” I continued as we made our way to the throne room. “But when I'm not on call, it's nice to let your mane down. If you catch my drift.” As soon as we got to the door and it opened from the other side. Six of the crystal guards began to play trumpets, all with a float with Celestia's cutie mark on them sounded off. It seems somepony is having a bit of an ego trip. Twilight was the first one to enter looking rather surprised as she looked at the guards, and not where she was going. This lead into her walking right into a seventh guard, an orange pegasus with a shortcut blue mane and tail named Flash Sentry. He had his Equestrian guard uniform on compared to the other stallions wearing the Crystal Empire uniform. Celestia had informed me that we were allowed to bring our own guards for our own safety. Which I brought Nightling, who was right now doing security sweeps in our rooms.

“Their Highnesses, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Prince Ryhn Firestorm!” Flash Sentry pronounced.

“Ryhn?” The girls behind us all exclaimed.

“Yeah?” I asked turning towards them a little confused.

“Where did that come from?” Dash asked floating in the air.

“It's my name,” I said with a smirk.

“I thought your name was Firestorm?” Fluttershy asked.

“It is.” Oh, I was having a bit of fun with them.

“Storm's name before coming to Equestria was Ryhn. So he only uses it for special accusations.” Twilight explained for the girls.

“Aw, I was having fun,” I said with a fake pout.

“Oh hush, it's not nice to tease them,” Twilight said and I couldn't help but chuckle.

“I suppose.” I couldn't help but smile. We turned to see Cadence, Luna, and Celestia walk up smiling.

“Greetings everypony,” Celestia said with a warm smile.

“Hello, Celestia,” I answered back as the rest of the girls followed suit.

“We have a big day tomorrow. So I would recommend that everypony turn in early tonight.” Luna recommended.

“Yeah... a lot of very... royal duties... yay...” I said sarcastically.

“Oh buck up, Storm it can't be that bad.” Applejack said as she shouldered me in the side. She had no idea, I only do because I asked for the details from Cadence while we were here. It's like dealing with stuff in Ponyville, but on a grander scale.

***---***

It was later that night after we all ate. Twilight and I had broccoli and Alfredo for dinner that night, Spike had fire roasted gems after the crystal ponies there figure out who he was. Which wasn't hard after he caught his rainbow afro on a guard's spear. The guy was not kidding when they say they saw him as a hero. Damn near bowled my ass over trying to get to him.

When we got to our room which was now one of the personal bedrooms. Something that Cadence had begun to do like Gaia did, have personal rooms for family. Which meant that Twilight and I had always a personal room in the Crystal Empire. Which was done up to look like it was ripped out of Sherlock Holmes study, even with a matching Victorian era four poster bed. Which was extremely comfortable. I was in the middle of going over some last minute paperwork that was supposed to be done before the summit. Twilight and I had to triple check it, but something about it was bugging me so I was doing a quadruple check. All while Twilight was at the vanity looking herself over with her Element of Magic Tiara on her head. It seems that her element had changed shape to be closer to a normal crown. So I guess I should call it the Element of Magic Crown for now on. Anyway, she was looking worried at herself.

“Storm?” Twilight asked as I looked up from the paperwork.

“Yes, Twilight?”

“Do you think I will do a good job as a Princess?” I could hear the worry in her voice as she voiced the question.

“You will do fine Twilight,” I said trying to reassure her as I placed the paperwork back in the folder I got it from. She turned to look at me.

“How do you know?”

“Because you have a good head on your shoulders, and you'll make well-informed choices,” I said trotting over to her to help comfort my wife to be.

“Have you dealt with anything like this?” She asked as she sat down and I was behind her, gently wrapping my hooves around her to hug her.

“The closest I had to deal with is the business in Ponyville and Cloudsdale. I was the only royal there to have the final say. Before me, they had to send each request to Canterlot for Celestia to review.”

“That's not very comforting...” She said as I felt her hoof over my real hoof. “What if I mess up? What if a choice I make or something I say, sparks a major incident?”

“It won't, and you won't have to make those choices alone. You have Cadence, Luna, Shining, Celestia and I all there to back you up. So if you're unsure about anything allow us to help.” I said gently nuzzling Twilight by the side of her head. “Everything isn't on your shoulder's dear.”

“I know but... I guess I'm just worried about everything. Since I got these wings, it just feels like everything is moving so fast.”

“Change does that dear, it doesn't need to be scary.”

“I know... I'm just glad I have you here with me.”

“And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else without you,” I said with a comforting smile. “Well maybe the bathroom, but other than that nowhere.” I had to make the joke, it was to set up for me.

“Jerk,” Twilight said before pushing me off her with her wings. She crossed her hooves and puffed out her cheeks in that adorable look of annoyance. All I could really do was chuckle a bit as I scooted closer to her and wrapped her up in my hooves again.

“Yeah, but I'm your jerk,” I said before giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Twilight was about to say something before there was a knock at the door to our right. “Enter.” Spike opened the door with a bucket of gems in his claws. Seriously these crystal ponies were spoiling the kid with them. Granted I may have had a gem or two, and found both rubies and emeralds to so far by my favorite. The former was spicier while the later had this mint vanilla taste to it.

Anyway, Spike came into the room looking at both of us. “Seriously can't you two get a room or something?” Twilight and I looked at each other before looking around the room. “You know what I meant.” He said already beating us to the punch.

“Well, you were walking into that one,” I commented. “Was there something you needed?”

“Not really, I was just checking to see if you two needed something before I headed off to bed.”

“Not really, we were about to clunk out ourselves after one last check.”

“Alright, Then I'm heading to bed.” He said with a grin before putting a claw full of gems into his mouth.

“Are you sure it's not read a bunch of comics before you pass out?” I shot back with a smirk as I watch him almost choke on his gems.

“H-how did you-”

“Know?” I couldn't help but smirk. “Spike I don't sleep as often as normal ponies. So I've caught you read under your blanket.”

“Again?” Twilight said sounding annoyed. “Spike you know you need your sleep.”

“Uh... Got to go.” He said running off leaving a few gems in his wake. I couldn't help but laugh at the just priceless moment.

“I can't believe that baby dragon.” Twilight huffed for a few moments before her expression dropped back to worry. “Storm... did you really think it was for his own good to have his own room?”

“Of course, Spike needs his own private space. To think, relax, and have fun.” I answered.

“What would he even do by himself for 'fun'?”

“What did you do when you were his age?”

“I studied and read a lot.” She said turning her head to think before turning to look at me as her brush floated over to her and began to fix her mane for bed. “What did you do?”

“Most of the time I played games, drew, read, and played around.”

“Played around?”

“Yeah, when I was younger I had action figures and other toys to play with.”

“So my big strong stallion had dolls?” Twilight said smirking at me.

“Action figures, thank you very much,” I said crossing my forelegs and giving her one of my trademarked not amused look.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.” She giggled at me, and I knew she was teasing me. “But regardless, I know Spike really loves his comics.”

“Oh completely understandable, I was more a graphic novels kind of guy myself,” I said with a chuckle as I got up and walked over making sure all of the papers were ready for the summit.

“What's the difference between comics and those graphic novels?”

“Mostly length and the size of the book, depending on which series and so forth. Course, that really didn't take into account trades and compilation books.” I said making sure everything was nicely set together in stacks for Twilight and I. “Before you ask, those are mainly a book that has a few issues of a comic or a set theme between comics in them.”

“How do you know so much about comics?” Twilight asked after she put her brush down.

“I'm a nerd dear, it's kind of one of the tropes of them. Granted I only was into a series or two about comics. But, it's easy to pick up to rule of thumb for them. That and it was easy to pick a lot more up when everything went digital.”

“Digital comics?” Twilight asked sounding completely confused.

“It's just like how I have thousands of books on my tablet, just they are comics instead,” I explained.

“Oh...”

“Eeyup, but regardless. We should really think about getting Spike his own.”

“Is this more for Spike's sake or more for alone time for us?” Twilight said smirking, and I already know where that was going. When we wanted to have some alone time back at the library, we would see if Spike would like to spend the night over at one of the girls' house.

I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at all this. “Well it would be an added bonus, but the guy really needs his own space.” Twilight couldn't help shake her head.

“Storm, your bad.” She said as we walked over to the bed as I lifted up the covers for us. She slid in first while I followed after I had removed my hoof.

“You can't say it's a bad time having more time to ourselves. Especially when I do that one thing.” I said with a sultry whisper into her ear, which shot straight before her face could even flash red from the blazing blush on her face.

“We um... need to get some sleep.” She said clicking the lamps off. “Yeah, sleep sounds good.” She said laying her head down before having to fidget a little because of her new wings. She was still having a hard time getting comfortable with the new limbs. She, of course, had made the comment on how pegasus could get used to sleeping on their wings. I couldn't help but laugh the first time watching her get comfortable. Course I was stuck on the 'sofa' for that one, well... technically I used that to get some work done so half win-win and half win-lose. We eventually got to sleep, well as best we can. I had been woken up twice from Twilight's new wings which were something that's been happening lately when she turns over. We've been sleeping more face to face so we could try and avoid this till she can get them under control. Not with much luck since the coronation.

However this last time, I ended up being completely different. On top of my sudden thump to the ground, a softer dink could be heard coming from the side table. I got up slowly to look over Twilight's sleeping form to see a cloaked pony.

“Excuse me, what are you-” Was all I got out when I finally woke up. Within her saddlebag was Twilight's Element of Harmony. “Guards!” I roared, which was loud enough for Twilight to jump out of her bed and for I to dash around the bed. The pony in question took off down the hall at a full gallop with me hot on her trail. Twilight was right behind me, yelling that said pony had stolen her crown. She made a turn down a corridor to the left with me hot behind her. Shadow dove from my shadow and shot down the floor trying to catch the thief. She, however, jumped away from each shadow tentacle that Shadow reached out with. That was till she slid to a stop and Shadow had her wrapped up tightly. Slowing down Twilight dashed passed me and went for a tackle. With a flash, the pony disappeared and appeared in front of a door.

The now newly discovered mare stood there with her set of saddle bags. She had a sunset orange coat and her mane was done up to look like wildfire in its two-tone yellow and red style. She glared and smirk at the both of us with her piercing teal eyes as she dove into the room. Twilight jumping out of Shadow's tentacles tackling her. In a move that was straight out of loony toons. Her crown shot out of her bag and bouncing off a wall, followed by the ceiling, a display case, and finally the floor before flying through a mirror. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't mean like shattered through a mirror. I mean it flew through the mirror like it was water as it shined for a second.

“What did you do with my crown?” Twilight asked in shock.

“Sorry it had to be this way-” She said before teleporting in front of the mirror. “Princess.” She finished before diving into it. The girls gasped as my eyes narrowed at the mirror. Right about then, Nightling followed by eight other guards came sliding into the room.

“Nightling reporting for duty.” She said using her wing to salute.

“Go get the princess,” I ordered and she nodded before taking off. “You eight guard this mirror and if anypony comes through it, detain them for questioning.”

“Storm, what are we going to do?” Twilight asked.

“First ask Cadence about this mirror,” I said as I walked past the girls and towards the throne room. Shining was taking care of the nighttime duties since Cadence needed to be up for the summit. Twilight and the girls followed us as we entered the throne.

“What's everypony doing up?” Shining asked before taking a sip from a cup of coffee.

“Somepony stole my crown!” Twilight exclaimed which got Shining to jump up.

“What!” He said before barking for the guards.

“They are getting the other princesses already,” I explained as I slowly made my way to the throne itself. “But my question is more what is that mirror?”

“I don't know. Celestia had us store the mirror here when we took over.” Shining said and I groaned. Of course, it was one of Celestia's magical artifacts. As soon as Celestia entered with the rest of them I turned towards her and bluntly ask about the mirror. That's when we all got one hell of an info dump from the dutchess of the sun. The mare's name was Sunset Shimmer, and before Twilight. She was Celestia protege, but unlike my wife to be. She was power hungry and impatient like to other, all Sunset had looked for was way to gain power quickly and be like the other Princesses. However, Celestia tried to nip this in the bud and watched as her ex-protege left through the mirror into another world. Much like how I did to return to earth, but unlike my means of travel. This was magical beforehand and only opens up roughly ever thirty moons. Which translate for every two and third years. Not too bad, but a lot could happen within that time. It seems that Sunset's plan was to switch Twilight's crown for a rather poorly made fake and hoped we wouldn't notice.

That would have been nipped in the bud, but I can see where the plan would have gone if that was the case. Following Orkam's Razor, we would have searched around the castle and by that time the small gap of time the portal would be open, would have closed. Meaning we wouldn't find it for another two and third years. By that time Sunset would have had free reign to use the Element to her own means.

“Why would she want Twilight's element?” Rarity asked.

“Simple” I began to explain, cutting Celestia off. “If a world void of magic is introduced to it by somepony craving power, that is asking for the worst possible outcome.” This got all of them to look at me.

“How do you know this?” Cadence asked a little surprised.

“Because absolute power corrupts absolutely,” I answered with a matter of fact tone to my voice. “We need to get the element back. Otherwise, that leaves Equestria without one of its major trump cards.”

“Storm is right,” Celestia answered. “Twilight we are going to need you to go through and retrieve your element.”

“You can count on me,” Twilight said as she slowly made her way to the mirror. That was before our blue blur decided to get between her and the mirror.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! She's going, we're going with her.” Dash said with a smirk as the other girls lined up with her. “Right, girls?”

This was followed by a loud squee from Pinkie who was smiling like a maniac as she said “Oooh! I'm so 'nervicited'!”

“You do realize that's not a real word, right?” Applejack asked Pinkie.

“I'm afraid you all can't go,” Celestia said.

“Why not?” Dash said looking ready to get in the regent's face. One this I would have loved to see.

“It's because of a power balance.” I began to explain. “Bear in mind this is a different world to this one. Which means it has a completely different set of rules that govern it. It's already dangerous sending one pony without knowing how to handle to power shift. But sending six or more could send the world into a tailspin. Topped with the time restraints that are in play, no offense to any of you. But it's safer sending maybe two ponies at most, able to focus on the prize.”

“Storm, Darling. What are you talking about?” Rarity asked confused.

“Let me put it this way. How good are any of you playing chess?” That got everypony to look confused.

“I think I get what Firestorm is getting at,” Cadence spoke up. “This against Sunset Shimmer a pony who already knows that world, against a pony who doesn't understand how the world works. Add in five more players that could end up having all of you fall into Sunset's trap.”

“Which is why I think Storm should go with. Out of everypony else, he's familiar with going to other worlds. As he himself is from a different one.” Celestia said as Twilight as the princess set our saddlebags on our bags and latched them. “The fate of Equestria falls on you two.” I turned to Twilight who looked worried as I offered my hoof to her.

“It's alright Twilight. I will be there with you.” I said as she placed her hoof into mine as we made our way into the mirror.

The feeling of transporting through this 'mirror' was much like the same from the last time. Whoever, there was a few key difference between them. While most of it felt like I was being pulled in odd directions like I was made out of toffee. I felt parts of me get pushed in as well, like my horn, wings, and tail to name a few. That didn't help my landing either, much like the spell I used to go to earth. The portal thought it would be funny to launch, just this time I landed on my flanks... well... sort of? I had predicted that I was going to be changed in some way, and I was right. I was human... ish. Unlike my normal self on earth, I had a bright orange skin tone like I was one of those bodybuilders with way too much suntan lotion on them. Just without the tan lines luckily. Much like my satyr form, my right arm was replaced with the prosthetic that looked like a large golden arm. Kind of reminded me of the auto-mail from Full Metal Alchemist.

My clothes were rather different, or for the fact that I know found myself with clothes on. Which I have to say was a welcome change for me. I had on a rather plain orange shirt and blue pants. Just embroidered on my pants was my cutie mark and I had shoes on. Not like horseshoes, but human shoes and they were orange too. Around me was a gray strap leading to a rather large messenger bag that also had my Cutie mark embroidered on it. Finally getting to my feet, I saw Twilight fall out of the portal in clump.

Oh, of course, my wife to gets the easier entry and just plops into the world, while I get flung like yesterdays trash. Screw you Universe, you jerk! Speaking of Twilight, it wasn't hard to figure out who it was. Mostly because she came out after me and her outfit was a dead give away. Like me, her skin was close to her coat color, but in her case. She was paler then I was. She had a pale sky blue button up shirt that with padding around the shoulder and a dark pink bow at the center collar. She also had a deep violet skirt that had her cutie-mark on her left side split up between the small opened seconds to a lighter violet piece. Around her... feet, were tall boots that were black on the bottom covering her feet while the upper part was a matching violet to her skirt. That had a think dark pink band around the top, while white laces crossed over two light violet diamonds.

What I didn't expect was for a third being coming through and it took me a few moments to connect the dots. Mostly because my brain was rejecting it for a bit. What came out was a purple... dog... On top of that, he had light green fluffy ears, and darker green fluff on his head and from his bottom jaw to his underbelly was a light green. Not counting the spiked blue collar with metal studs. Didn't help were the gold tag and pink heart in the center of it. Finally, it clicked who it was and I will admit, I fell over laughing hard. Spike the dragon was now Spike the dog, I guess I now have to worry about him hounding me about keeping this quiet from Rarity. Course he will be barking up the wrong tree with that one.

It was a few moments later when Twilight began to steer with a groan. That when Spike finally spoke with “Uh, Twilight?” Oh my god, Spike was a talking dog on top of that. That was fucking priceless, and it may have added to my giggle fit. So much so that I missed what Twilight said before Spike said “I... think so. But I have no idea what you are!” Things turned a little south when Twilight began to scream and by then I gathered myself up to put my hand around her mouth.

“Relax Twilight. You're only... Human-ish.” I said between my heavy breaths. “Now are you going to scream when I remove my hand?” She shook her head no and I slowly pulled away.

“Storm?” She asked in surprise.

“Well, the one and only that you said yes too,” I said with a smirk before she looked down at her hands.

“What happened to us?” She asked.

“We changed to fit the world. Spike became a dog.” I said before snorting a little. “And we became human-ish.”

“Human... -ish?” Twilight asked. “That doesn't make any sense. You look nothing like you did in that photo.

“Okay, one,” I said using my prosthetic hand to count off with. “That was before dying and gaining a new body. Two, I did say ish as so far as I can see that a lot of the same rules apply here from earth. Except for body structure, color, and hair color.” I began to explain as looking at Twilight I noticed that heads were slightly bigger in proportion to the rest of the body, that and the larger eyes. Were kind of dead giveaways of this. “I can only guess some of the same rules applies here like on my earth. Which means no magic.”

“No magic!” She said before hyperventilating a bit. I reached into my messenger bag and pulled out a paper sack and held it up for her. She began to breathe pretty hard into the bag as I gently patted her back.

“Yes no magic, I mean we don't even have horns or wings.” I pointed out and that caused Twilight to reach up and feel the space her horn would have been. She then took the bag out of my hands and was breathing harder into it enough to rip a hole in the bottom.

“Where are we?” Spike asked.

“If I had to guess 'an' earth.”

“An earth?”

“Yeah, I'm guessing this is more playing to the alternate universe concept. As the easiest and basic version of this is say you had a choice. Eat a cookie and not eat a cookie, and you decide to eat it. Well, then a new universe was created that has a you that didn't eat the cookie and so forth. From what I can see here this may be a universe based off of my earth. Not one for one as this doesn't look familiar.” I began to explain looking around and noticing the gate away back to our Equestria was a side of a large bucking horse statue. I put my right hand through it and I could faintly see my prosthetic hoof through it. “This explains why Sunset needed your element. Because this world doesn't have magic then a magical artifact would tip this world's balance.”

“What do you- woah... mean?” Twilight asked as she tried to stand up for the first time on two legs. Well outside of dancing with me in satyr form, but who's counting? Anyway, I stepped over and helped her to her legs.

“Well if she's still like how Celestia explained. She wants power.” I said as I helped dust of my... girlfriend. Shit, I'm going to have to go back to my old lexicon again, aren't I? “She took the Element of Magic which is one of the most powerful artifacts in Equestria to do it.” Looking around, something didn't feel right. If Sunset had the... oh... Oh! She didn't have the artifact, did she? I couldn't help but have the slightly goofy smile on my face. I had worried that when we got here that she would have already started her plan. But everything looks normal, which has to mean she doesn't have it. That or something is preventing her from using it here. I'm hoping for the former, but my chips are more on the latter.

“We should start looking for Sunset,” Twilight said before crouching down and began to walk on all fours with Spike on her back.

“Twilight stop,” I said helping her back up and Spike down. “Human's walk on two feet, not four like ponies.”

“Oh...” She said as we watched a gray-skinned guy with mauve hair walk past us walking a light blue dog... Did I just see huckleberry hound? Okay... If I start seeing a big red dog, I'm out. Just the fuck right out, because I don't need to see Clifford and I don't think my mind could handle it. I turned to Twilight who was sort of walking away from me with a few wonky test steps. Until she got up to the railing. “How do you walk on these things?” She asked.

“How do you walk on hooves?” I answered back with a smirk, course that didn't stop Spike and I said at the same time.

“At least you don't have to worry about your wings anymore.” That got us a glare from her, so totally worth it. She continued forwards in a small huff before she waved her head a bit like she was modeling. That was followed by her slamming her face into the door.

“Uh... dear, you need to open the door before entering. Building one, you zero.” I said opening the door for Spike and her.

“Very funny.” She growled as she continued to walk into what was clearly a school. Bringing up the rear, Twilight went over to one of the two display cases that housed trophies and group photos.

“What do ya think, Spike? Other artifacts she's stolen from Equestria?” She asked eyeing them.

“Not really,” I answered only to be ignored for Twilight looking at herself in the mirror. Now that I was able to get a better look at myself. I had a set of large blue eyes, not as big as Twilight's but they were pretty close and my... hair was pretty close to my normal style as a satyr. She stepped back slowly before the bell in the hall began to ring and the torrent of students began to mill about. One nailing Twilight in the face and causing her to fall down. “Here let me help you,” I said walkthrough but she already crawled off through a thicker bit of the crowd. I just know it was going to be one of those days. When I was able to get through I saw Twilight being helped up by a lightly tanned kid in a black jacket that had a white and red stripe going around it. Underneath he had a white shirt with a two-tone blue shield and yellow thunderbolt. He also had pale blue pants that were a few shades off his blazing blue hair. It looked like he asked Twilight something, but I didn't catch it. She only nodded her head before the kid walked off. “You alright Twilight?”

“I'm fine... It's just this place is rather different.” She said looking around as she picked Spike up.

“That happens when you go to a different world,” I answered as I was trying to shake this familiar feeling I was getting it. It was sort of like deja vu, and I couldn't shake it. The next ten minutes was taken up by us walking around. Mostly to get a lay of the land and any clues to Sunset Shimmer's location. Nothing of real note here, but it finally clicked why this was bugging me so. Much like how I had seen a version of Twilight, Applejack, Big Mac, and Applebloom on earth. This here was like an earth version of Equestria. Seeing the CMC running down the halls with Scootaloo on her scooter, pretty much gave it away to me. Course, I made the mistake of taking my eyes of Twilight for a second. “Damn it, now where did that mare get off to?”

The scream that followed gave it away, as it was coming from the guy's bathroom. Twilight had waltzed right into the guy's bathroom. I couldn't help it, I laughed as she came out running and blushing like a red tomato. After I caught up to her she just gave me that look and any guy knows that look. The 'not a single word about this... ever' look. But that's when we heard something down the hall. The three of us got a little closer and leaned over to see. Good thing I was still taller then Twilight otherwise I would probably lean too far out.

“I didn't know you had dropped it.” Sounded a very shy voiced girl who had large pink hair. She had a white tank top on with a light green skirt that had three butterflies on it in a pink, white, pink pattern with the middle one being the flipped color. The skirt itself had a small light pink trim. She also had light green boots that worked well with her light yellow skin. Almost a shade or two off of buttercup yellow.

“Well, I did! And I was about to get it before you swooped in and ruined everything! You shouldn't pick up things that don't belong to you.” Said the other girl and all we could tell from this angle was she had just a big amount of hair as the other one except it was done in strips of yellow and red. She also had a black jacket and an orange skirt. She wore large black boots that had a fire purple bottom to them. We didn't catch what the first girl said but we did see the second one slam both hands into the lockers behind her exclaiming “Excuse me?!”

“N-n-nothing...” Said the first one and the more I looked at her the more I couldn't shake the feeling this was this worlds Fluttershy.

“That's what I thought. It's as good as mine, and you know it. You really are pathetic. It's no wonder your best friends are all stray animals.” The second girl said and her voice was just rubbing me the wrong way. It must have been doing the same to Spike as he was growling at her. She turned away from her with a self-centered smirk on her face. I think we just found the 'queen' bitch of the high school. That's when Twilight stepped out looking just as angry. Granted in my case, I wasn't to slap the smug off her face.

“How dare you speak to her that way!” Twilight growled at her causing the girl to look at us. I was a few steps away from Twilight trying to keep my anger in check. Now is not the time to lose it, as we need to find Sunset...

“What did you say?” The second girl said and I could see more of her outfit. Her collar had studs in them and had a purple undershirt with a sun in the style of yin and yang but in fire tone. The orange skirt seemed to have a purple and cream yellow strip to them and it clicked. This was the bitch that stole Twilight's crown. Both of them began to walk up to each other as Twilight was next to speak.

“I said, 'How dare you speak to her that way!'” Spike and I watched as both of them were giving each other the venomous stare down. That shortly stopped as Sunset's face turned to a smirk as she took a more relaxed posture.

“You must be new here. I can speak to anyone anyway I want.” Sunset said before flicking Twilight's nose which made it harder for me to stay my hand. Seriously, you have no idea how much I wanted to deck this bitch. She walked past Twilight as the two other students in the same hall looked worried. The one she stopped before was a guy who had his locker open and she did the sudden move. Causing the kid to jump into his locker and shut it. This bitch had these kids terrorized that much? No wonder Celestia failed with her, it's like walking ego that really needed a reality check and fast. She walked past me with that same smirk as she 'sized' me up. “I hope you don't get any idea's big boy.” That caused my eye to slightly twitch.

“Tick tock.” Was all I said as she stopped a few feet away and turned to look at me.

“What did you say?” I could see that I bothered her so instead of answering all I did was darkly chuckle and walk down towards Twilight who was staring in the direction Sunset left. I know she is going to be put off a little by this, she's all ego and if anything gets in her way. She will make a miss step.

“I can't believe you did that!” Fluttershy said as she looked on in disbelief.

“Well, I couldn't just stand there,” Twilight answered turning back to Fluttershy in confusion.

“I'm guessing because no one stands up to Sunset?” I asked as I reached them.

“Sunset? Like Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked looking back down the hall as the other two students left to more than likely to get to class.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Fluttershy asked.

“I took a guess from the attitude she had. The name's Firestorm.” I said offering my hand in a friendly gesture. Fluttershy slowly shrank away from it like it was cursed, and if this was anything like our Fluttershy. Then I have a feeling she was going to squeak.

“I'm Fluttershy.” She said in an almost inaudible tone.”

“Sorry, what was that?” Twilight asked which only got her in an even more inaudible tone.

“I'm Fluttershy”

“It sounds like you're saying Fluttershy, but how can that-” was all Twilight got out before Fluttershy almost bowled us over to get to Spike in a squee.

“Oh, my goodness! Who's this sweet little guy?” She said in an energetic tone. Eeyup, that was our Fluttershy alright.

“That's Spike! My, uh... dog!” Twilight said sounding more confused towards the end.

“Oh, he's so cute! Go on, eat up, little pup!” Fluttershy said reaching into her backpack and pulled out a dog treat. Oh god, please tell me he isn't... he is. Spike slowly took a small bite before going to town on the treat. I guess since he was a dog now, he had a dog's taste buds to go with it. “Oh, wouldn't ya just give anything to know what they're really thinking?”

“He usually just tells me.” Twilight said and that got both Spike and I to give her the 'don't talk about the talking dog looks.' Especially me when I was doing that hand under the chin no speech gesture. Before Spike barked, and I mean barked like a dog.

“Oh, w-what do you mean?”Fluttershy looked completely clueless and thank god for that. Because we really didn't have the time for news reporters to get wind of a talking dog. That would be one hell of a shit show if that happened.

“Oh, uh, nothing, never mind,” Twilight said chuckling nervously before she shook her head to refocus. “Sunset Shimmer said you picked something up. Something that belonged to her. It wasn't a crown, was it?”

“How did you know?”

“Uh, lucky guess? Do you still have it?” We watched as Fluttershy shook her head in the negative. “But you know what happened to it.” She nodded to this. That's when we got the load down on what happened on this side when the crown launched through the mirror. It seems that it nailed Fluttershy in the head while she was handing out fliers for an animal shelter she supported. This being Fluttershy, I could totally see that. When she saw what it was, she took it to Principal Celestia. It seems the Duchess of daytime was just a principal here in this world. My guess was that Luna was more than likely the vice principal. What would that make Cadence I wonder? Hell, what about Shining Armor? Regardless of that, we got directions to the office and began to head that direction.

Though I did find out something rather interesting. Overall this time, I had completely forgotten my prosthetic arm itself was a magical artifact. Well, not on the same level as say an Element of Harmony, more like a lesser artifact. What did that mean? Well, from what Shadow had told me. I was able to access a limited amount of my magical pool, which transferred over to our new bodies. The problem with accessing the whole thing was that a lot of it turned dormant without a means to use it. My arm, in this case, acted as a conduit or as if it was my horn. We experimented a little by having Shadow create an eye like he does when he comes out of my shadow or off my body. I will admit, it was extremely creepy seeing an eye looking up at me from my palm. But the benefits outweighed the uncomfortableness that happened. After the short walk, we got ourselves to the main office and in turn the principal's office. With a few knocks, we were allowed in.

Twilight, being the adorkable being she is. Decided to go in the pony way by using her head to open the door. Which I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at that, which in turn earned me a glare from her. Principal Celestia was a rather slender woman that looked like she was in her thirties, maybe forties if you push it. She had the same multi-colored hair like her Equestrian counterpart. Just without the flowing on an ethereal wind. Oddly enough she wasn't straight out mat white as I expected. She was more a pale pink, closer to human skin form like my earth. She did have the larger eyes and what looked like natural purple eyes that I expected. She also had a pale yellow suit on with what looks like a purple and white striped tee-shirt underneath it. She also had matching purple pants on. On her left wrist was a purple bracelet much like her pants and on her right was a gold watch on a purple band. While I was looking her over I had failed to see Twilight looking nervous till Principal Celestia lowered the file she was reading to look at us directly.

“How may I help you two?” She said giving a look of can you please get on with it.

“Um, uh... Whew. My name's Twilight Sparkle and he's Firestorm. W-we are new here, and... Well, I understand that Fluttershy found a crown this morning and gave it to you.” Twilight explained almost doing the verbal version of tripping over yourself.

“Yes. I've had Vice Principal Luna put it somewhere for safekeeping. No idea how it ended up in the front lawn.” Celestia said as she got up taking the file with her and put it away in a file cabinet across the room. Which had a lot of pale yellows used on it. Like from the floorboards to the trip. It was just everywhere, just different hues of the same color.

“I could think of a reason,” I mumbled under my breath just soft enough where no one could hear be other than Twilight.

“Were you interested in running for Princess of the Fall Formal this year?” She continued uninterruptedly

“Uh, no. Not exactly. The truth is... Well, the truth is I... You see, the crown is actually... Princess of the Fall Formal?” Twilight said completely being derailed. I think the shock of seeing another Celestia is getting to her. Okay, granted the shock of seeing a blue dog and being human again kind of got me. But seriously, we are here to get the crown and bail.

“It's Canterlot High's big Fall dance.”

“Like the Grand Galloping Gala,” Twilight said and I couldn't help but facepalm. That was something only her, Spike, and I was going to get.

“Uh, Grand Galloping Gala?” Celestia said a little confused as I expected.

“It was one of our special events at our old school.” I covered for Twilight.

“And was there a princess?”

“Sort of,” I said as I couldn't help a slight smirk.

“Well, here at Canterlot High, the students select one of their peers to represent them and she receives a crown at the Fall Formal,” Celestia explained and I could help but groan inwardly. It was a fucking prom, it had to be a fucking prom of all things. The one thing I never went to because back then I just one of those kids that could never find a date, well one that would say yes without it being a joke. Let's just say I was burned more than once by that 'joke'. That's when I noticed the look on Twilight's face. The look that screams 'I have a plan that I just thought up that may work.”

“Hmm. You asked me if I was interested in running for Princess. Can anyone run?” She asked and I couldn't help but facepalm. Was she seriously thinking of running for Princess?

“You asked her to marry you,” Shadow said with snark in her voice.

“I know I did!” I shot back mentally.

“Yes. You just need to let the head of the Fall Formal planning committee know you'd like to be on the ballot.” Celestia said helping Twilight and I to the door. “Was there anything else?”

“Nope! That was it!” Twilight said before I could get a word in edgewise.

“Well, if you do need anything else, my door is always open,” Celestia said before shutting her door.

“Hey, Twilight?” I said looking back at the door.

“Yes, Storm?” She answered looking at me curiously.

“I'll catch up with you later. I need to ask Principal Celestia something first.” I said pointing behind me at the door.

“I can stay if you want.” She offered.

“True, but I think you should try to find the Fall Formal planning committee. While I handle this.” I offered, but because what I was about to do probably wouldn't sit well with Twilight and Twilight had already 'formed' a plan.

“Good thinking, I'll catch up with you at lunch,” Twilight said walking off.

“Till then,” I said turning back towards the door.

“Twilight, why didn't ya just tell her the crown was yours and ask for it back?” Spike said as Twilight walked away and Spike riding in her backpack as Fluttershy suggested. With a few knocks, Celestia asked me to enter.

“Firestorm was it? Was there something else you need?” She asked putting another file down to look at me directly.

“There are a few things actually,” I said grabbing one of the chairs in the room and sat it across from her desk. She looked at me with a cocked eyebrow it that same 'get one with it look' she gave Twilight earlier. “Let's start with a question. Do you believe in magic?”

“In a young girls heart?” She countered with a smirk.

“How the music can free her whenever it starts?” I shot back knowing what she was quoting, The Loving Spoonfuls nineteen sixty-five hit of the same name. “But no, I mean real magic.”

“I believe there are things that aren't so easily understandable.” She said resting her arms on her desk giving me her full attention.

“What would you say if I could prove magic was a real thing?” That got her other eyebrow to join its twin for a few moments.

“I would be extremely skeptical without said proof.” She said and I could help but smirk as I held my hand out with my palm out to show that it was empty. I then began to focus on a familiar spell. Namely the light drawing spell. My pointer finger began to glow and I began to write in the air the words 'Ta-da!' The look on her face was priceless as her eyes widen as she reached over her desk to pass her hands through it a few times. “How is that even possible?”

“Magic,” I said dispelling the writing with a wave of my hand. “It's not the only thing I can do.” With that said I put my right hand over my left as a blacken mass began to form out of my palm. Taking the form of a little blob with two large red eyes.

“Is... is it dangerous?” She asked looking a little unnerved.

“In the wrong hands, it can be.” With that, the little blob when back into my arm.

“Why show me?”

“Because I need to talk to you about Sunset Shimmer.”

“What Shimmer got to do with this?”

“She's very goal orientated and often blinded by getting it. Very power hungry and holds it over everyone, to the point that when one opposes her without not knowing about her ahead of time. She tried time and time again underhanded tactics to get what she wants.” Most of this was gleaned from Equestria's Princess Celestia and noticing the three photos of 'human' Sunset Shimmer. I can easily guess that a lot of that is the game. “I'm betting she has come to you or Vice Principal Luna about other students doing something against the rules. Often leading into her getting what she wants if not directly, indirectly. Most importantly she's the only one running to be this year's Princess of the Fall Formal unopposed.” Celestia remained silent for a while looking me over, almost sizing me up.

“What did she do?” She asked pointedly.

“The crown that was found by Fluttershy wasn't the real crown for the Fall Formal. That for a matter of fact is right here.” I said reaching into my messenger bag and pulling out the really cheaply made crown. With a soft tap, I set it on her desk as she looks it over then back up at me. “The one you have is a magical artifact that she stole.”

“Let's say I believe you and the crown that was brought in to me this morning is a magical artifact stolen by Sunset Shimmer of all people. What was her plan?” She asked leaning back in her chair.

“Most likely to take over this world.”

“This world?” That got Celestia to raise her eyebrow again.

“Before we continue this line of questions. Where is the crown right now?”

“Vice pri-”

“You can just call her Luna.” I interrupted.

“Okay... Luna has put it in the schools safe for safe keeping.”

“How secure is this safe?”

“It can only be opened at a specific time each day.” She said and I couldn't help but whistle.

“Must be a costly safe.”

“Quite a lot, but regardless. You said this world, you make it sound like there are others.”

“Because there are. I can at least count four off the top of my head, but I wouldn't doubt there are more.”

“Why should I believe any of this?” She asked leaning back in her chair.

“Do you know what happens when you bring a magical artifact into a world without magic?” I said with a smirk on my face as I watch the look of worry appear on Celestia's.

***---***

It has been several hours since my talk with Celestia. After a rather app showing of how dangerous magic could be in the wrong hands, and the magical portal in the front lawn. She finally believed me fully, well maybe not fully as she couldn't wrap her head around the whole dragons and other mythical creatures were real bit. But some battles you can't win, oh well.

I tried hunting down Twilight after my meeting to find that she had already eaten and ran off to find the Fall Formal planning committee member. It's only member mind you and to not my surprise, it was this world's Pinkie Pie. So I figured I would let Twilight go with that. I, however, decided to do a little research, and the best place to do that was the school library. Which that was where I have been, and thank god I learned programming code. With a bit of writing, I was having the computer doing most of the work for me. Well, the searching for the most part, I still have to skim through most of it, but with highlighted passages. It helps narrow down a lot of the work for me.

“I have to believe it's got a... library!” Twilight said as she walked up to the door.

“Storm!” Twilight said running over. It was nice to see that she was at least getting more used to being on two legs. “What are you doing?”

“A little research,” I said as I watch windows flash up before they disappear.

“How are you reading through those that fast?” She asked looking over my shoulder.

“Well, I'm just gleaming the important bits,” I said as another popped up. “But for the most part, I'm not doing the searching itself.” That got Twilight to look at me confused. “The computer is.”

“How?” She asked looking confused as she tried pushing a few keys on the keyboard.

“Well I wrote a program that gave the computer search perimeters and it's pulling up the information based on that.”

“You know how to do-” Was all she got out before I leaned back my head to look up at her. “Right... child of the information age.”

“You're cute when you're flustered,” I said smirking as I watched my fiance blush at me.

“Storm this isn't the time to do that.”

“Well, right now I'm waiting for-” Right then the computer gave a beep to tell me it was done. “Speak the devil's name.”

“And she shall appear.” Twilight finished and I couldn't help but smirk looking at her. That's when I noticed two young men peeking at us from behind the bookshelves. Something I wasn't really happy with, but so far they weren't doing anything... yet. Turning back I saw Twilight reading the screen as I began to read it myself. What I could find out here that a lot of both my earth and Equestria's history happened here. Nothing as big as the world wars but, a lot of the corruption and greed aspect still happened. The only things missing are events like Sombra, Discord, Nightmare Moon, and things like that.

“Is there anything about Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie?” She asked.

“I can find out. Why?” I asked pulling open a new window and began my search.

“The girls here aren't friends, and I was wondering if there is a reason why?” It wasn't long to find there social media accounts and dear god the venom between not just those three but the whole five of them. Now mind you I've seen people get out right nasty online, compared to them. This was tame, but still just every time one of them is brought up. It's the snark was real my friends. From what I gather that each of them were slighted by the other.

“Well... hate to tell you. They seem to be at each other every time. Even Dash and Rarity are in on it.” I commented.

“There's a Rarity here?” Spike commented from Twilight's back.

“Shh Spike, we don't want people to hear you,” I comment and he slid back into Twilight's bag for the time being. “But yes, there is a Rarity here.” With that I decided to pull up a tab and look for this worlds version of Twilight and I. Twilight was rather fast to find, as it seems that she was a rather well-known prodigy here and going to one of the biggest schools in the city. From what I could gather Crystal Prep was like this worlds Crystal Empire. The other version of me was harder to find, as I barely could find an online presence and even that didn't tell much. From what I got he was a jack of all trades kind of guy, but other than that... nothing.

“Is there any way to tell what sparked them not being friends?” Twilight asked after I closed quite a few of the windows.

“Hard to say, it seems to be a lot of jumbled messages and mix-ups,” I said reading a few of their feeds going back almost a few years.

“That doesn't make much sense...” Twilight said standing up and crossing her arm across her chest and had her hand on her chin thinking. “I'm going to go look around and see if I can find a few other things. I need to know how to appeal to all the groups.”

“Groups?”

“It seems if I want to be the Fall Formal Princess I need everypo-” She was interrupted by Spike leaning out and thumping her in the back of the head. Okay, not fair. I get in trouble doing that to Dash, but Spike can do it to Twilight? “Every... one to vote for me. So I have to find a way to get everyone to like me.” She said nervously chuckling. With that, she turned around walked towards the books. I couldn't help but turn and watch her leave. Even as a human she definitely gives a great view, and don't give me that look. This is my fiance after all.

With that out of the way, I decided to try and help her out through social media by creating an account and began to send mass messages to everyone giving them some food for thought. While avoiding those that seem to have more direct ties to Sunset. With that out of the way, I decided to get up and stretch my legs. That's when I found my fiance was trying to pick up books with her mouth, and I found the two young men from earlier snickering with their phones out. I found out when I was sending those messages that these two were Snips and Snails, and of most importance that these where Sunset's cronies.

Snips was a short pudgy young man with orange hair and a light grayish-blue skin. He had a black shirt one with a pair of scissors, and blue jeans on. Snails, on the other hand, was more a tanned peach colored kid with faded green hair. He had a green hoodie with a snail on the left breast, over a red undershirt and tan pants. They both snickered more as they moved to follow Twilight as she moved to the copier. My left eye twitched as I began to follow them as my right prosthetic arm began to creek as it cried out in stress from the fist I was making with it. These two were doing something to Twilight and I was having none of it. So as soon as Twilight jumped from the photocopier I grabbed the both of them and pulled them off to an abandoned section of the library.

“Okay, what the hell are you two doing?” I said standing over them after I dropped them rather hard on their rear ends.

“It's none of your business.” Snips said crossing his arms.

“When it involves Twilight, it becomes my business,” I growled at them.

“Well we aren't telling yo-” Was all they got before I had both of them picked up by the shirt with a death grip and a few feet off the air.

“Oh, you will tell me.” I continued to growl as I was starting to see red in an almost literal fashion. Like the edge of my vision began to tint red as I had slammed them against the bookshelves that were lining the wall.

“S-s-sunset wanted u-us to get p-p-pictures of T-t-twilight doing weird things.” Snails said shaking in my grip.

“T-t-to make sure s-s-she doesn't w-w-win Fall Formal.” Snips finished.

“Phones. Now.” I growled dropping them before holding my hand out for them. They shakily handed me both of their cell phones. Then I went to town clearing every photo and video of Twilight they had. Making sure they didn't try to be cheeky and send it to a cloud or online storage. After that, I took the time to password lock their phones so they could only use them as phones and nothing more. I was completely pissed off at them and I feel like it was justified. After that I pointed for them to leave and not even needing a second after that, they left probably needing a new change of pants. When I came back I found Twilight trying to type on the computer with her fist and I couldn't help but cringe a little. Poor keyboard, just being punched like that can't be good for it.

“Twilight, what are you trying to do?” I asked walking up and putting my hand on the back of her chair.

“I was trying to make a list and well this thing is harder to type in than the one in the lab.” She said sounding frustrated.

“Well that keyboard was made with ponies in mind, this one requires fingers. Here let me show you.” It was probably a good two hours getting her to get the home row typing going. She asked why she couldn't just hunt and peck. Well, she said something different but to paraphrase it. That home row typing was much faster and when you get the hang of it, it's so much better. So after she finally was set off to type up her 'list' of points she wanted to talk about. I sat down and pulled out my old cellphone. Something I have been using other then it's attended purpose.

I wanted to fix that for when I was here. Mostly because if this was like my earth then having a cell would be beneficial. So as Twilight clacked away on the keys I found what I was looking for and began to gel break my phone. Which took longer then I expected mostly because finding companionable software. But, it was done for the most part. Just waiting for the installing to get done.

“The library will be closing in five minutes.” Said a voice over the P.A. System. Which got Twilight to jump as she looked at me.

“I hadn't even thought about where we're gonna sleep tonight!” She exclaimed.

“Way ahead of you.” Spike and I said as we looked at her.

“The Janitor has a cot in his office he uses when he's stuck cleaning after one of Pinkie's Parties but since he's out for the next two weeks. We can use it.” I explained.

“How did you know about that?” Twilight asked.

“I checked around,” I explained which I did. The janitor had a big social presence online mostly thanks to Pinkie and found out about both of them. It seems he sprang for a comfortable bed and he was out because of visiting family. I had also made a copy of the key using a bit of my magic with Shadow's help. He can form up to be the key from my finger, it was pretty cool. Sadly Equestria doesn't really use those kinds of locks since most of them are magical base. With enough magical force, you can just brute force yourself through most of them. Regardless, we found ourselves in on the janitor's cot laying there and he sprang for a good one indeed. Soft and easily sunk into, just the way I like it. Twilight laid next to me looking at a yearbook. She had it open to a picture of the girls when they were younger.

“Things will be alright Twilight,” I said gently snaking my arms around her to hold her.

“How do you always know what to say?” She said as Spike jumped up and began to lay next to Twilight in a ball like I've seen most dogs do. Funny thing is even while a dragon, he still balls up in his small bed.

“I just have that kind of sense about it, like a Storm Sense if you will,” I commented with a smirk.

“Oh Celestia, not you too. It's bad enough with Pinkie and her Pinkie Sense.” She said sounding a little frustrated.

“I'm just playing with you Twilight. It's not hard to tell you're worried, but everything will be fine. You'll go out there and win everyone over.”

“Still... how can you tell?” She asked putting the book down and turned to look at me directly.

“It's in your body language, kind of like how you can tell mine. It's the other way here.” I explained.

“Well you were human, so it makes sense.” She said already going into her analyzing mode. Something I know helps put herself at ease when she's super stressed about something. Well unless she's doing it involving Pinkie then it becomes a war of attrition. Regardless the night was mostly spent her asking questions about humans and I answered them to the best of my abilities as I finished breaking my phone's protections. By about one, I had a fully working phone again with a few more apps to help be a little sneaky.

***---***

It was in the morning after Twilight and I got something to eat. Mostly with me reaching into a vending machine and swiping a few things to eat. Mostly after Shadow picked the locked and I just made sure not to pick anything with meat in it for Spike or Twilight. Oh, but I did get me some jerky to snack on. God, I missed non-guilt meat. Seriously after the whole talking to cow's things, I couldn't really bring myself to eat a lot of meat without importing it from the dragon lands. Even then, it's pork and not really that much when I can get it. Well outside of restaurants and Canterlot castle which cook for griffons.

But, I digress.

We all had something to eat before we left the janitor's closet before school started. Twilight still needed to print her list out so, our first stop was the library. Honestly, I'm a little surprised how open these computers are. No login passwords, no safe searching, none of what you would expect from a school system on my earth. Kind of refreshing really, and easy to get stuff done. I do have to make note that Twilight's 'list' was almost a novel in itself by page count. Fifty-eight pages, and that's not double spaced or anything of the sort. Course that wasn't the strangest thing for her, I mean I've seen some of her scrawling scrolls with her normal organizing, fucking massive.

But, no. The strangest thing was what happened after we left the library. All of the snickering and giggles of the student body. Especially pointed towards Twilight and myself was the biggest tip-off that something was afoot. That and suddenly being pulled into an empty classroom was the other one. Both Twilight and I almost slammed into the table in the far end of the room, closes to the window, by what I could only guess was this world's Rarity. Hard not to guess besides seeing her profile picture last night. Her pale white skin and large over the top purple hair with her trademark three diamond hair clip. That and the pale light sky blue eye shadow. It seems she decided to go with a rather plan pale sky blue shirt, black belt, and purple skirt with an embroidered three diamonds on it. As well as two golden bracelets and her large purple boots that matched her skirt. The reason I know about her 'average' look is that girl seriously takes way too many selfies that it should be outlawed. I lost count in the triple digits for a day alone. A. Single. Day!

“Rarity?” Both Twilight and I asked at the same time in surprise. Well, Twilight was more a shocking surprise and I in a more 'okay, what's happening here' surprise. Right about then Spike decided to pop his head out of Twilight's book bag. Which he's taken to riding in as it's more comfortable than my messenger bag. His words, not mine. Regardless, we watched Rarity run over with a measuring ribbon and began to take odd measurements of both Twilight and I. I mean seriously what was she expecting to get from the bottom of Twilight's shoe, let alone mine? The point I began to dread was the look of 'eureka' appeared on her face. Followed by Rarity bending over and digging through one of her bags. Every so often she would toss a piece of fabric before she opened her mouth.

“Perfect.” She said before whipping around and in a move that shouldn't be possible. Covered us in clothes and as soon as I could see I found Twilight and I in a different outfit. In Twilight's case, she was in a lot of green. From a light green and pale green top, with a light green skirt and shoes. Not to mention the blonde wig on top of it. I had a more biker look with my red undershirt, black 'leather' jacket with studs, and maroon fingerless. Not counting my blue jeans, black wig, and a red bandanna with matching black shades. Someone explain to me how the living hell she changed our close that fast. I do mean changed because I don't feel like I'm in another layer here, it's terrifying, to say the least. “Perfect! Oh, yes. This is good! No one will recognize you two!”

“Why wouldn't we wanna be-” Twilight tried to get out before Rarity interrupted again with.

“And we'll need a disguise for your dog, which is too bad. He really is so adorable! Y'know, with a little work, I think I could make him look like a rabbit instead.” She said as Spike leaned over enjoying the scratch under his chin with literal heart-shaped eyes, before falling out of Twilight's bag. Seriously what the flying fuck is up with this place, I thought Equestria was nuts at times, but to see this in a human-ish world. Complete mind fuck, and it wasn't sitting well with me. So much so I kind of lost a little time, till the door slammed open.

“There you are, Twilight.” Said a girl that sounded a lot like Applejack and with her western themed outfit. I wouldn't be surprised since she was wearing a buttoned-up flannel shirt with the top half at chest height green. A belt with an apple buckle holding up blue denim skirt, and matching cowboy boots. Seriously she oozed country girl from almost every pour.

“So much for the disguise.” Rarity said behind us in a huff.

“I've been lookin' all over for ya.” Applejack said walking more into the room.

“Me too,” Fluttershy added peeking around the corner before she entered.

“Me three!” A girl that looked a lot like a human Pinkie said from atop the door. I don't mean she was hanging from the door frame. I mean she popped her head down from the top of the door. So it had to be this world's Pinkie Pie, and I refuse to hear otherwise. That was before she zipped in and looked Twilight up and down with a massive smile on her face. “I like your new look!”

“I do have an eye for these sorts of things.” Rarity commented behind use before crossing her arms and gave Pinkie a pointed look. “Not that you seem to care.”

“What?!” Pinkie said looking insulted.

“Why do you think she doesn't care?” Twilight said taking the wig off looking completely confused while the girls gave the hand signs of 'don't ask'. She finally asked the more pointed question of. “No, never mind. Why were you all looking for me? What's going on?”

“Oh, she hasn't seen it yet,” Fluttershy said looking worried.

“Seen what?” I said which got Pinkie to shove Twilight and I over to one of the desks as she opened up a bright pink laptop with a balloon on the top to a webpage. On the page had an embedded video that just began to make my blood boil.

From what I could figure Snips and Snails must have found us in the janitor's closet and took videos of us. Because the video defamed Twilight mostly of being a homeless outcast, and a weird do. It seems they had a chance to upload a few of the videos before I caught them.

“I am going to kill those two,” I growled as I get up and threw the wig across the room.

“Kill who?” Twilight asked.

“Snips and Snails, those little bastards were taking videos of you yesterday,” I said as my right arm began to give protest to the pressure I was forcing through it.

“Well I'm not surprised, them two do all the dirty work for Sunset.” Applejack commented as she walked over to the desk.

“Has everyone in the school seen this? Is that why they were all looking at us that way?” Twilight commented as both Applejack and Pinkie nodded.

“What am I gonna do? No one is gonna vote for me after seeing this!” Twilight exclaimed before thumping her head against the hollow desk.

“Not that it'll make any difference, but I'll still vote for you,” Fluttershy commented with a small smile as she placed her hand on Twilight's shoulder. “You were so nice to stand up for me when Sunset Shimmer was picking on me yesterday.”

“If ya still wanna run, maybe there's something I can do to help!” Pinkie exclaimed jumping in excitement.

“Word of advice? Don't accept her help. She doesn't take anything seriously!” Fluttershy warned pulling Twilight out of the desk and away from Pinkie. Holy shit, Fluttershy has claws.

“Ugh! Why do you have to be so awful to me?” Pinkie shot back sounded annoyed more than hurt.

“Don't play innocent, Pinkie Pie! You are no better than she is!” Rarity tacked on.

“And what is that supposed to mean?!”

“ I am happy to offer up my assistance as well.” Rarity said to Twilight holding her hands in a sign of friendship before giving Pinkie a venomous look. “To someone who would appreciate what I have to offer!” She continued yelling at said Pinkie. That's before it turned into an all-out arrangement between Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity. Double holy shit, these three were out for blood today. I didn't think the little feud was that bad, but maybe I was wrong.

“Listen to Y'all carryin' on! Get over it and move on!” Applejack yelled in over everyone else fighting.

“You mean like how you've gotten over what happened with Rainbow Dash?” Rarity shot back pointedly.

“She said she'd get the softball team to make an appearance at my bake sale. I tell everybody they're comin', and then not one of 'em shows up! She made a liar outta me! That's different!” Applejack defended. It really wasn't that different at all.

“Is not!” Both Pinkie and Rarity yelled back.

“Is too!” And now we had round two of the yelling. That was I got sick and tired of it. With two fingers, I let out an ear piercing whistle that caused everyone to cringe.

“Oi!” I yelled. “Knock it off you four.”

“And why should we... Um?” Applejack started before she lost a little steam towards the end looking at me confused. “Who are you anyway?”

“Firestorm, but just call me Storm for short.”

“Why are you even here?” Applejack said getting into my face.

“Besides being Twilight's boyfriend?” I shot back returning the venom in my voice that Applejack was giving me. “Maybe you failed to notice that she wasn't the only one that shots were fired at in that 'smear' campaign there.”

“And why should we believe you? You could have been the one that set Twili-” was all she got out before sick and tired of it and grabbed the first of her shirt.

“Listen here and listen good Applejack. No one fucks with my Twilight.” I said as my anger flared hard. Lucky for me my hair here didn't erupt into flames like it normally does at this point in Equestria.

“Storm, that's enough. Put Applejack down!” Twilight said pushing the two of us apart. “I want to show you all something.” She continued as she grabbed the yearbook she was looking at last night out of her bag. She opened it to the picture of the girls when they were freshman. “You were friends once.” Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie all walked over to look at it.

“Hmm. The Freshman Fair. Y'all remember?” Applejack commented as all of them gave a sign of confirmation.

“But something happened. I think that something was Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight said looking up at all of them.

“Well, it's a nice theory, darling, but Sunset Shimmer had nothing to do with it.” Rarity said walking away with her arms crossed and had that look of uncomfortableness across her face.

“She's right. Sunset Shimmer isn't the one who ruined my silent auction for the animal shelter by bringing fireworks and noisemakers! It was supposed to be a serious event, and Pinkie Pie ruined it!” Fluttershy pointedly said next giving Pinkie a stare down.

“What are you talking about? I got a text from you saying that you didn't want a silent auction. You wanted a big party!” Pinkie exclaimed as I listened in more.

“Uh? I never sent you a text.”

“You didn't?”

“You don't think she's the one who's been sending me those e-mails, do you? Every time I volunteer to help with the decorations at a school function, I get an e-mail from Pinkie Pie saying she has plenty of volunteers! And then I find out she's done everything herself.” Rarity turned herself into the conversation.

“I never sent you any e-mails!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“I don't see how she could have done any of that.” Applejack said.

“I believe I can answer the how-to that one,” I said pulling out my phone.

“Alright partner, how?” Applejack said giving me a dare and I smirked. With a few clicks of my phone, I had spoofed their phones.

“Huh?” Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie said as she pulled out their phones. The latter of them all pulling it out of her wild unkempt hair.

“How did you send me a message Rarity? Didn't even see you with your phone out.” Applejack commented before I sent her another one from Pinkie. “Pinks what do you mean 'I'll give you three guess and the first two don't count'?”

“Storm, stop playing around.” Twilight groaned.

“What do you mean Storm?” Applejack said before eyeing me as I hold out my phone showing the texts I just sent.

“With the right technical know-how, I tricked your phones into thinking that it was from another number,” I commented before putting my phone away.

“You know that explains so much.” Applejack said before getting a look of confusion. “Maybe that's the reason Rainbow Dash didn't show up for my bake sale!”

“Did you try asking her?” Twilight and I both said at the same time.

“Heh, I guess I kind of stopped talkin' to her at all after that.” Applejack admitted with a sheepish look on her face.

“Well, it's time to fix that,” I said leading the way. With a small search, I knew Dash was on the soccer field practicing. I thought Rarity was bad with her selfie's. Dash is way worse with her bragging regardless of the world. Rainbow Dash is always Rainbow Dash.

It was about twenty minutes to get to the field as I kind of got lost which side of the school it was on. That was followed by another twenty minutes of Dash and Applejack 'talking'. Well, to be honest, it was more shouting for about half of it as both of those two are just as stubborn as their Equestrian counterparts. While that was happening the girls were giving commentary about what's going on. Especially the hug as Pinkie exclaimed it almost into my ear.

“Somebody, and I think we can all guess who told Rainbow Dash that my bake sale had been moved to a different day. Dash showed up with all the softball team and thought I'd canceled on her!” Applejack explained as they walked up. Looking over Dash she still had her trademark prismatic hair. Just a lot more of it, including her cyan skin. However, this dash also how a white undershirt with her cutie-mark over the chest of it and a blue jacket over it. She also had an off pinkish purple and white striped skirt with black shorts on under it. She also was kicking around a soccer ball around for a little bit of fun, before she kicked it up and caught it.

“So you're lookin' to dethrone Sunset Shimmer and become Princess of the Fall Formal, huh?” Dash asked with Twilight nodding to answer her. “Gotta say, I'd really love to see that happen. I'll totally help you out! All you gotta do is beat me in a game of one-on-one.”

“What?” Twilight exclaimed.

“Hold up.” I cut in.

“What's the problem?” Dash said spinning the ball around on her finger.

“You've got to be a little fairer than that. At least have someone else help her out.”

“Well, it looks like you volunteered. First to five goals wins.” She said before overhead kicking the ball into the goal. “One-zip!”

The next five minutes was an almost utter trouncing of Twilight and I. While soccer was one of the few sports I use to play. It had been several years and a different body since I've played it. Course Twilight was worse off as she wasn't really the athletic type. So the beginning plan had Twilight cover the goal, while I was the one out on the field. That's when I found out that this Dash was faster then I was. I mean I gave her a run for her money at times, getting the ball away from her and towards her goal. She, however, was trickery-er then I was. Dash was able to score against Twilight who was shaking at in her knees in fear. Like she was in front of a firing squad.

Twilight ducked under a move I wasn't even sure was physically possible. She kicked up the ball and roundhoused it into the goal, it was like that ball had slowed down a little to give Dash her second point. Shortly followed by her third point by putting the ball in front of Twilight. Right as Twilight was about to kick it, Dash used her foot to pull the ball back, kick it into the air, and stomped it by bending her leg behind her back as she leaned forward, right into the goal. Fuck, how limber is this chick?

Lucky for us, I was able to score us a point after using an old fake out trick I picked up playing. Running up with Dash behind me to the left. I moved my leg so the ball would fall behind me right when Dash went for a slide in. I turned around with a sweep and reclaimed the ball getting enough time from Dash picking herself up. With a kick, we had our first score. At that point, Twilight wanted to try the field so we switched places. Dash was nice enough to toss the ball out into the field where Twilight was able to have it.

For about a few yards. That's when Dash zipped by getting the ball and with a massive kick, launched that sucker right at me. The blasted thing beamed me in the head knocking me flat on my back and rolled in getting her point. Twilight was able to score one point after I gave her a little direction. She was able to slide in behind Dash and nailed the ball while it was still on her side into the goal, give us our second point. However, Dash scored the last one when Twilight was able to stop the ball with her face. Not as hard as it hit me since it was close range as Dash tried to do an overhead kick again. Twilight monopolizing on the chance began to run with the ball. Dash ran past her and to her goal as Twilight tried to go for the big kick. Something no soccer player would go for, it leaves you to open for someone to slide in and in Twilight's case. Barely kicks the ball and causes them to hit the ground hard.

We all watched the ball roll up to Dash. She looked down at it and smirked before punting that little bastard all the way towards me. I tried to catch it, but my timing was a little off and it sunk home giving Dash the winning point. We all walked over to Twilight, well Dash did a few moments later as she was too busy doing her victory Dash. Eeyup, just as cocky as our Dash is.

“That's game!” Dash said right in Twilight's face before noticing her panting like she just ran for her life. In all fairness she was but, they didn't know that.

“I... really thought you were gonna... pull it off there in the end.” Rarity tried to encourage, but seriously. There was no way in hell we were going to win this. Twilight isn't a sports pony, and I was so rusty that I'm surprised the field isn't covered in it.

“So what's the plan? How can I help you be princess instead of Sunset Shimmer?” Dash said helping Twilight up to her feet. We got over to the benches and I grabbed Twilight a bottle of water, that she gulped down in seconds.

“But... I... lost!” Twilight gasped.

“Of course you lost. I'm awesome! But I'm not gonna help just anybody try and beat Sunset Shimmer. The Fall Formal Princess should be someone with heart and determination. You've proved that you've got 'em both! Even if you had help.” Little Miss Ego said poking me in the ribs with her elbow.

“Oh, haha Dash.” I shot back. We decided since lunch was about to happen that we'd get something off campus. So the girls treated us to this world's Sugar Cube Corner which reminded me more of a cafe than anything. We each got something, I ended up with a strawberry sundae. Twilight was the last one to get her drink as we all sat down at this little out cove. Spike was predictably in Rarity's lap soaking up all the attention she was giving him. We all turned when we heard a cup drop.

Twilight had accidentally bumped into... the same guy that helped her up. We watched as the two of them gave each other that awkward 'I'm smitten with you' look before she came back to us. I was trying my best not to lose my cool at some 'kid' hitting on my Twilight. When she got back she had a large blush on her face before Rarity decided to nip that in the bud.

“Don't even think about it! You're already trying to get her crown. Who knows what Sunset Shimmer would do if you ended up getting her ex-boyfriend too?” She said not even looking at Twilight.

“Ex-boyfriend?” We both said.

“Flash Sentry broke up with her a few weeks ago. I can't believe she hasn't done something awful to him yet.” Fluttershy commented. Ha! Queen bitch got her little love boat sail snipped. Hey, it's the little victories that count at times.

“Maybe she's just waiting until she has the power to do something really awful,” Twilight commented under her breath.

“All right, girls.” Applejack said before I 'cleared' my throat. “Uh, and guy. The dance is tomorrow night, and we still don't know how we're gonna get Twilight the votes she needs to be named princess. Right now, folks only know the Twilight from the video Sunset Shimmer posted online. We need to help 'em see her differently.”

“Easier said than done,” I commented taking a bite of my sundae. We began to brainstorm a few ideas. Pinkie's was a massive party, Applejack was close with a hoe down, Fluttershy wanted to do a petting zoo, and Dash wanted a sport's tournament. All 'ideas' but not really any good ones, that wasn't till our resident fashionista jumped up.

“I'VE GOT IT!” She exclaimed loud enough that everyone in the place looked at her. “Ahem. I mean, um, perhaps I have a solution. Now, this may be an absolutely preposterous idea, but what if we all wore these as a sign of unity?” She explained pulling out some rather tacky set of face pony ears and tail in a gold and blue color scheme. We all looked at her completely confused, even Spike. “Freshman year, they were very, very popular. A way for everybody to show their school spirit! You know? 'Go, Canterlot Wondercolts!'” She continuing making another scene in the cafe as she 'cheered'. “Ahem. I haven't sold any in ages.” She began pulling out six of the ears and passed them out, including me as I just looked it over. “I mean, the five of us are obviously very different, but deep down, we're all Canterlot Wondercolts! Sunset Shimmer is the one who divided us, Twilight Sparkle is the one who united us. And we're gonna let everyone know it! What do you think?” The girls all nodded, Spike just had goo-goo eyes for Rarity.

“Next you're going to tell me you're going to have a musical number to help sell this idea?” I commented still holding onto the idea. We all watched Pinkie pull out a few sheets of music as I couldn't help it, my left eye twitched.

***---***

“Me and my big fucking mouth,” I mumbled from the cafeteria door. They seriously pulled a high school musical here and sung to get everyone on the same page. I mean down to the goofy ears and tails. Everyone and I do mean everyone, had both the ears and tails on, lunch lady included. I couldn't help but facepalm the whole time. I will admit I've seen my share of musical numbers in Equestria, most of them from Pinkie but still. This was ridiculous, granted the song was super catchy. When the number was over and we left, we saw Snips, Snails, and queen bitch herself walking past us giving that 'we've got our eyes on you look' with Snips giving the little hand sign with it.

I did not like where this was going, and even more so when I saw them walk up to a door. They knocked on it and a woman that I could only guess was Vice Principal Luna come out. She had a long light purple shirt with a white collar that had a crescent moon on it and a midnight blue belt around her waist, held in place but a lunar white buckle. She also had matching midnight blue pants that worked well with her outfit. Her skin was a pale blue that fit in with her two-tone blue and pale blue hair. From what we could see Sunset began to whole pity me act as she said something to Luna, that was before they run off.

“Was anyone else getting that foreboding feeling just now?” I said as the girls agreed. I did not like where this was going and only trouble could come from this. Sadly I was right when both Twilight and I were called into her office. We sat down in the rather dark room only illuminated by the almost completely covered window. Got to live Luna credit, she knows how to set a foreboding atmosphere. It seems Twilight and I were both being accused of vandalizing the gym.

“I don't understand,” Twilight said just as confused as I felt. We were with the girls almost the whole time.

“This is clearly you two in the photographs, is it not.” Looking down, I could see that we were set up. Someone and impressively so had put pictures of Twilight and I 'destroying' the gym. If I had to guess these photos were taken while we played soccer the other day.

“Yes, but-” Twilight tried to defend before being cut off by Luna.

“I think it should be fairly obvious that the school cannot let someone who would do something like this compete for the Fall Formal crown,” Luna said turning to look at the both of use with pointed stares as she leaned over us on the table.

“How do you know these photos weren't doctored?” I asked standing up. “Anyone with even a bit of editing prowess could make it look like Twilight and I.”

“While that is true, we have no proof that these aren't the originals.” Luna shot back.

“In the same turn, you can't prove these aren't.” I slowly walked towards her. “Innocent till proven guilty, isn't it how it is? And what of our accuser? Don't we have fair right to defend ourselves from accusations like these.” I continue pointing to the photos. The only reasons I knew we had a leg to stand upon was that I know Twilight and I didn't do it and that I've done the same thing before. Edit photos to make it look like I was somewhere I wasn't. Rather easy if you take the time to do it.

“That is true as well, but in good-” Was all she got out before she was interrupted by her door being knocked one. When it opened it was the kid from before, Flash Sentry I believe his name was.

“Vice Principal Luna. I found these in a trash can in the library. Thought you should see them.” Flash Sentry said as he walked over holding a vanilla folder. “Someone obviously combined these photos to make it look like Twilight was the one who trashed the gym.” I gave Luna a pointed look as Flash proved my point.

“I appreciate you bringing these to my attention, Flash,” Luna said lining up the cut out photos with the pictures she had as she went back to her desk. “In light of this new evidence, you may, of course, continue your bid to be crowned the Princess of the Fall Formal.” The ecstatic look on Twilight's face was priceless. The aftermath not so much, She ran up and gave Flash a massive hug.

“Thank you! You have no idea how important this is to me!” Exclaimed with a massive smile on her face.

Flash only chuckled giving that awkward scratch at the back of the head when he replied with “What was I gonna do? Not prove your innocence? Wouldn't be much of a Canterlot Wondercolt, would I?” I was about to cut in before Luna beat me to it.

“I am afraid enough damage has been done to the gym that we will have to postpone the dance until tomorrow night. If you will excuse me, I need to let my sister know about this latest development.” She said before departing. That's not good, with the moon as close as it is. We may be stuck here even if we did get the crown.

“So, uh, I was wondering. If you aren't already going with somebody, wanna go to the Fall Formal with me tomorrow night?” Flush tried to ask as my gaze shot to him. He did not just ask my Twilight out to the fucking prom!

“I think he did,” Shadow commented to me.

“That would be-” Twilight began to say something before it clicked what I had already noticed. “Tomorrow night!?” That was followed by a long stream of 'no's in rapid secession before she ran out the door. “I can't! The portal! That'll be too late!”

Both Flush and I exited the room after her, with him saying. “One 'no' would have been fine!” That's when I picked him up and put him against the lockers. “Hey, buddy what's your problem?”

“My problem is that some 'kid' is asking out my fiance to the dance,” I said holding up my ring Twilight got me. It was a rather simple band that was a lot smaller her on this universe.

“Fiance? How you're like what sixteen?” He asked surprised.

“Try older by at least two years for both of us,” I growled through clenched teeth, I know I was lying through my teeth, but he didn't need to know I was closer to thirty than twenty.

“Geez man, I'm sorry I didn't know.” He said as I dropped him a little hard.

“Well next time, I suggest you check before you get wrecked,” I growled before I went off to find Twilight. Found out she ran all the way to where the girls were trying on clothes for the dance. So I headed there right when Twilight opened up the curtains to one of the dressing booths.

“You okay?” Applejack said sounding worried as all of the looks were on Twilight.

“The Fall Formal isn't happening tonight.” Twilight explained and I came around to help comfort her. I gently wrapped my arms around her as she placed her hand on mine.

“What?!” Pinkie exclaimed in shock.

“It had to be postponed because Sunset Shimmer had someone ruin all of Pinkie Pie's decorations.”

“What?!” Pinkie said again louder than last time.

“But the Fall Formal has to happen tonight.”

“Wha-” Was all Pinkie got out a third time even louder before Applejack covered her mouth and gave her a look that said 'go ahead' with her cocked unamused eyebrow.

“You see-” Twilight started before being cut off by.

“You're from an alternate world and you're a pony princess and he's a pony-dragon prince there and the crown actually has a magical element embedded in it that helps power up other magical elements, and without it they don't work anymore, and you need them all to help protect your magical world, and if you don't get the crown tonight, you'll be stuck in 'this' world and you won't be able to get back for, like, a really, really long time!” Pinkie said after taking Applejack's hand away from her mouth looking cheeky as hell with her oversized grin. Twilight looked completely shocked I was trying not to laugh. Why am I not surprised that Pinkie of all people here knew? Oh right, it's Pinkie of all people!

“Yeah, I'm pretty sure that 'isn't' the reason,” Dash said as she rolled her eyes at Pinkie.

“Nope, she's pretty much spot-on,” Both Spike and I said at the same time. That got everyone but Twilight, Spike, and I to do a double take.

“He can talk!?” Rarity said in shock.

“Oh, yeah! And back where I come from, I'm not even a dog!” Spike started before stand on his back legs like fucking Huckleberry Hound. “I'm a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon!” Right about then Fluttershy pushed Rarity and Pinkie aside before getting down to Spike's level.

“This is so amazing! Tell me, what are you thinking right now?” She asked in amazement. Which I could understand, we did kind of give her her biggest wish. As she gave Spike a diabetes level of a sweet smile. He just turned to look at a still shocked Rarity.

“Sure would love a scratch behind the old ears!” Spike said walking next to Rarity. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn he was trying to look up her skirt. Course Spike doesn't know that context and thank god I don't have to explain it to the baby dragon. I will admit Rarity making a sound and face that just screamed 'four o' four brain not found' almost made me lose it right there. “Uh, maybe later.”

“How did you 'know' all that?” Twilight asked. No, bad Twilight, you know better than to ask Pinkie how she knows stuff. Because all your going to get from her is a-

“Just a hunch.” She said. See, fucking called it.

“Wait a minute! Lemme get this straight. You're a 'pony'?” Applejack asked trying and I think failing to put two and two together.

“You're a princess?” Rarity asked completely skipping me being a prince, but whatever. Thankfully someone didn't drop that on me.

“You're from another world?” Fluttershy added this time. Twilight only nodded looking worried, and I started too because I was not ready for that bomb to be dropped. That, and what came next from Dash.

“That... is... awesome!” She exclaimed before Twilight got swamped by the girls.

“Oi, girls!” I exclaimed. “I think you're forgetting something?” They all stopped and looked at me. “Destroyed gym ring a bell?” I said motioning my hands towards the door.

“Yeah!” Pinkie said zipping past me faster then I think Dash could fly in Equestria. It was probably a good twenty minutes when we finally had our first sits of the carnage that was the gym. This place was 'fucked', and I don't mean in a good way. I mean like a twelve car pile up after a tornado came through a parking garage at a mall during Black Friday.

“I simply cannot believe they did all this!” Rarity exclaimed looking over this nightmare of a mess.

“If I only had some kind of... party cannon that could decorate everything super fast!” Pinkie exclaimed as Spike and I shared a look.

“I know it seems impossible, but, maybe if we all work together?” Twilight said turning like she was hoping for the help.

“Now that's the kinda can-do spirit I'm lookin' for in a Fall Formal Princess! Let's do it, Y'all!” Applejack exclaimed as she went to get some of the broken tables.

“Absolutely!” Rarity exclaimed running off to grab what I could only guess brooms.

“Rock on!” Dash said going to help Applejack.

“Yes, Indeedily!” Pinkie said sticking her head to the floor and began to... 'sweep' I think? Fluttershy just smiled and got to work with Rarity.

“I'll go check the lights to see none of them are busted,” I said making a start towards the stage. That's when I felt a tug on my head, I turned to see Twilight giving me a look.

“Storm I appreciate you being here with me. I know this can't really be easy on you.” She said looking at me.

“What makes you say that?” I asked a little confused.

“Being in a world like your earth. It must feel weird to you.” She said looking down at my hands.

“I will admit it takes a little getting use too,” I said before bringing one of my hands up to her cheek and gently brushed my thumb against it. “But as long as I have you, I can deal with a little weirdness.” With that, I gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. Well maybe not just a kiss, I watched as she slowly raised her left back.

“You two make a perfect couple.” Rarity said leaning on a broom as she swooned lightly. Please tell me she isn't going to materialize a lounging sofa out of nowhere to fall upon!

“Well, he is my fiance after all,” Twilight said pulling out her ring. Which had shrank in size too that she had on a chain.

“Fiance!” Rarity proclaimed.

“He asked me to marry him during my coronation.” Twilight explained.

“So when you got your title?” Rarity said giving me the stink eye.

“Don't give me that look, I was a prince long before Twilight was,” I said holding my hands up.

“That's right, Pinkie did say you're a prince.” Rarity said going back to her swooning, instead of sweeping. I just rolled my eyes as we got to work. Surprising enough that while we were getting things cleaned up, part of the student body decided to help out. Within an hour I had a crew I was giving orders to as we fixed the lights. It seems that someone decided to smash a lot of the lights and unhook everything from the sound system. Not a hard thing to fix just time-consuming. When it was all said and done, we got everything ready and looking way better.

“This... looks... so... GOOD!” Pinkie exclaimed on the stage as the girls joined her.

“Well, that's what you get when you put a lot of hard work and effort in,” I commented as I sat on the edge. Our attention was pulled over to the door were both Celestia and Luna were standing, the latter with a ballot box in her hands.

“All right, everyone! Fall Formal is back on for this evening.” That announcement got everyone there to cheer, including Twilight and I. “So you'd better get out of here and start getting ready. Oh, and don't forget to cast your ballots for the Fall Formal Princess on your way out!” With that, most of the students dropped there ballots in the box and left. Twilight and the girls as well, I stayed behind for a little bit as I wanted to check on something.

***---***

It's been a few hours since I left school. The girls were busy deciding what to wear in the store Rarity lives above. Rarity helped me pick out a tux for me to wear, which honestly I never wore one before. It was rather nice until the fun began to fade. Mostly because the girls were having a hard time deciding, Especially Pinkie who was in the middle of her eighteenth change. So I decided to step outside for some fresh air, more literally because of Rarity and the damn hairspray. Lucky for me the outside had a bench that I could relax upon.

So to kill time I decided to create a ball of light that I was playing with. Mostly just tossing up into the air and when it comes down. I just smack it back up with the back of my hand before flipping my hand over to catch it and repeat the cycle. When I was on earth, I would do this from time to time to kill time. That or I would twiddle my thumbs, but I fell out of that when I went to Equestria. Little hard to twiddle thumbs when you only have one claw to do it. After what felt like a few minutes, I heard the door to the shoe open up.

Waltzing right out was Rainbow Dash in her Fall Formal dress. Which was rather nice for a prismatic sleeveless dress. The top part of it was red, orange, yellow, and green, with indigo straps over her shoulder that matched her sash around her waist. The skirt part of the dress was mostly blue with a red trip, and covering her arms was purple finger-less sleeves. All to go with her rose-red heel boots with a tint off wings by the white laces. She came out looking around before spotting me.

“That's where you went.” She said as I caught the ball of light in my right hand and shifted my messenger bag so it sat better against me on the bench.

“Eeyup.” was all I really wanted to say.

“So...” Dash said and I could see from her posture that she wanted to ask me something, but she was going to try and beat around the best. Something I should tell you that the Equestrian version isn't really good at doing.

“Just ask the question,” I said as I began to play with the ball of light again.

“What question?” She said crossing her arms defensively.

“Because 'Dash' your not good with beating around the bush. So ask the question you really want to ask.” I said not even looking at her as I was more focused on the ball of magic.

“Fine, what's your story?” She asked eyeing me.

“Pre or post-Equestria?”

“What?” Dash said looking at me completely confused.

“Before I came to Equestria or after I came to Equestria?” I rephrased for her.

“Equestria?” She asked.

“Where Twilight and I came from before we arrived here.”

“Okay... before Equestria? I thought you came from Equestria?” She asked even more confused.

“Technically I'm from a different universe completely,” I said keeping her in my vision.

“Wait there's different universe?” She asked with her eyes widening. “That's... So... Awesome!”

“It can be, depending on where you end up,” I said with a shrug.

“You make it sound like you've done it multipl-”

“Six times at this point.” That got Dash to look at me like I was some superhero or something, far from the truth. “But it's nothing really special.”

“Not really special?! Are you nuts? You've hopped six-time into different universes. How can you not be like some kind of hero or traveler?”

“I guess you could call me the Doctor.”

“Doctor who?” She asked looking a little confused, and I will admit I got a little kick out of that. Mostly because I've always wanted to use that line at some point and Dash here set me up perfectly.

“Regardless, my question still stands. Pre Equestria or post?”

“Pre.” She asked looking me over now with wonderment.

“Well before I went to Equestria, I was nothing that special. Just a normal human with a normal name, living out a normal life. Strife and Discord, Chaos and Harmony, and all the things that come with it.” I said with a shrug. “That all ended when I took a bullet.”

“Wait, you've been shot?” She asked looking skeptical, hell I would be too if it wasn't the fact that... I lived it!

“I got better... sort of.” That got Dash to cock her eyebrow. “Okay, I died on my earth and because of 'magic', I was teleported to Equestria.

“Teleported? Wouldn't you have still been dead?”

“Well spiritually teleported that is, because of Necromancy.”

“Surely you're pulling my leg.” She commented crossing her arms giving me a flat look that just screams 'I don't believe a fucking word your speaking mate.'

“Names, not Surly, it's Ryhn,” I said with a smirk.

“I thought your name was Firestorm?” She asked confused.

“Oh, it is,” I said getting up before holding my hand out. “Firestorm, Ryhn Firestorm,” I said trying to sound like Sean Connery during his run as Bond.

“Really?” She asked giving me that flat look again. “That was just outright corny. Next, you're going to tell me that your really a dragon like Spike.”

“I'm not a dragon,” I said giving her that one.

“See I knew you were-”

“I'm only half dragon,” I said cutting her off.

“Okay, now I'm calling you out on this.” She said getting in my face.

“You can ask Twilight, she would tell you,” I said with a grin showing some of my sharp teeth. It was one of the other few things that stayed the same during the transfer, my back teeth were just as sharp as they were on Equestria.

“You know what, I will.” She said going back in.

“Don't take too long,” I called after her as I watched a stretch limo pull up to the shop. Right then I caught the ball of magic in my hand one last time before crushing it and it's fragments fading away. It seems Rarity had ordered a limo for all of us to ride into the Fall Formal. Which I have to admit, I've never really been in one. It was rather nice, but it didn't compare to how my Twilight looked. While her hair was still the same, more brushed out and all. She did look good in her mostly dark pink dress, that was a few shades off the pink strip in her hair. Around her waist was three band, the center one was purple and the other two white, with a matching bow attached. The frilly skirt part of the dress was twice layered with the top on having three white stars to it. The middle one hand an off dark pink band with a white line going along it. Her shoes were a matching pink to her dress that had a white tongue that was crossed with matching pink laces. The tip of the shoe was also while and the bottoms of it were purple having the curve for a heel without on present. Around her neck was the chain that had her ring on it that was tucked a little into her cleavage to hide it. I had my ring on as well just under the shirt of my tux.

When the Girls and I entered the Tux, most of us gathered toward the back. Twilight and I were more on the side with her leaning against my left side with a smile on her face. I couldn't help but gently placing my arm around her. Something I hadn't really done when I was human in a very long time and even now I kind of wish I was at least in a satyr form. So I could put my wing around her, as much as I know she loves the feeling of them there. As we rode in the limo, I couldn't help but watch the city around us as it passed us. Times like this just felt weird to me, like a glimpse of the past in the present and the feeling of loss that follow.

“Those two make a cute couple.” I heard one of the girls say and I think it was Fluttershy at how soft it was spoken. I turned to look at them as most of them were watching Twilight and I. Well all but Dash who was relaxing like she didn't have a care in the world. For the most part, we ignored them as they were talking more and more about the dance itself. That lead up till we arrived and when the door opened. Each girl leaped out with excitement with me slowly following until it was only Twilight and I left outside. That's when we saw a black car pull out that I wasn't sure on the make or model of. Cars were never really my cup of tea. What I did know that it was Flash Sentry's car since it had two lightning bolts on the side and his cutie-mark on the hood. He stepped out and spotted the two of us. He beelined for the door after he grabbed a guitar case out of his car.

I knew his band was playing tonight as part of the entertainment between him and Vinyl Scratch as a DJ. So we had a pretty good mix of music with no one getting tired of one genre of music. For the most time Twilight and I spent a large bit of the dance against the wall enjoying watching everyone dancing. I saw this world of the Cutie-Mark Crusaders dancing with Scootaloo doing the chicken dance. Even saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon doing their little dance like a secret handshake. Twilight and I decided after watching the girls for a little bit to dance. Let's say we decided to go with the waltz for a little bit as the music was a more rock version of one. No offense to the dancing crowd or a professional, but I think we did the equivalent of dancing on the grave of dance itself. It was that bad, mostly because Twilight hadn't had the practice to dance on two legs than four. During this whole time, one question began to really bug me, and it seems it wasn't just me.

“Anybody see Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked voicing my lingering question. She was nowhere to be seen and I had been scanning the crowd for her. No luck, hell I didn't even see Snips or Snails and that allow was sending off warning signals in my head.

“Maybe she was too embarrassed to show! She's gotta know you won by a landslide!” Dash shouted over the music.

“Maybe...” Twilight said hesitantly. As the music faded we turned to see that Principal Celestia was walking towards the center of the stage. Shortly after getting to center stage the colored lights faded away and six spotlights that I helped get up turned on.

“First off, I wanna say how wonderful everything looks tonight. You all did a magnificent job pulling things together after the unfortunate events of earlier. And now, without further ado, I'd like to announce the winner of this year's Fall Formal crown” She announced to everyone as Vice Principal Luna began to walk on stage with a decorated wooden box in her arms. About halfway to center stage, Luna opened the box to show the golden crown was in it, as it glinted off the light. When she arrived she handed Celestia an envelope. “The Princess of this year's Fall Formal is...” We heard the muttering of a crowd and the girls as they all had their hopes up. Well, it was founded hopes as Celestia proudly announced “Twilight Sparkle!”

The whole crowd went wild as the girls hugged each other and Twilight and I shared a kiss before she ran up to the stage. She smiled receiving her crown upon her head. Her moment in the limelight was cut short as we heard in the silent room. “Twilight! Storm! Help!” We turned to see Snips and Snails had grabbed Spike and were fighting to get out the door. Without missing a beat, I took off towards them as now I was pissed.

“They got Spike!” Twilight said running after us. The turned down one of the halls with me hot on their trail. They turned back to see who was chasing them and I don't think they expected me going after them like a linebacker going after the guy with the ball. I knew the girls were behind me just from the number of footsteps I heard. We turned a few corners and out of the side door. Snips and Snails legged it to the front and past the statue. I slid to a stop when I saw Sunset step out with a sledgehammer in her hand.

“That's close enough!” Sunset growled at us as she handled the hammer ready to swing.

“Twilight! Sto-” Spike got out before Snips held his muzzle shut which only added to my boiling anger.

“Don't hurt him!” Twilight yelled out.

“Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. I'm not a monster, Twilight.” Sunset said with a smirk and all I could think was.

“That's debatable,” Shadow said echoing my own thoughts.

“You two don't belong here. Give me the crown, and you can go back to Equestria tonight. Or keep it and never go home.” She said taking aim with her hammer ready to smash the marble statue to bits. “Tick-tock, you two. We haven't got all night. The portal will be closing on its own in less than an hour. So, what's your ans-” was all she got out before the hammer was shot out of her hands.

“Wha?” Sunset said in shock looking at the handle that was still in her hands, then at the head of the hammer a few feet behind her.

“I don't think so Sunset,” I said as my right arm was still smoking from the magic I used.

“How did you do that?” Sunset growled looking at me with such venom in her look. I will admit it, I rumbled in it.

“What happens when you take a magical artifact into a world that doesn't have magic?” I asked and that got her eyes to widen.

“But you don't have-”

“My arm is a magical construct,” I answered crossing my arms with a smug grin.

“That's right!” Twilight said looking at me in surprise. “Wait, you had magic this whole time?!”

“Eeyup,” I said before Twilight thumped me in the back of the head. “Ow!”

“You should have told me, then we that would have-”

“Not saved us time. You still needed to get your crown before Sunset could.” I said smirking turning to her. “But that's not really the point now. I already knew Sunset wouldn't destroy the portal anyway. You have a use for it, don't you?” All she did was growl at me.

“What do you mean?” Applejack commented.

“She was going to use your crown here and gather a force before marching on Equestria.” That got Sunset eye's to widen.

“How did...” She asked taking a step back.

“I know? A genius you are not Sunset. Honestly, you had all the tropes there. High school bully wanting nothing more than power, a magical artifact to give said power but have to do underhanded tricks to get it, and a spiteful past that you wanted to have under the thumb to forget about it. Your game has always been one of power, sadly for you.” I said smirking. “You weren't ready for a new player.” This got Sunset to growl at me.

“But why didn't you tell us?” Rarity asked.

“Because I had to make sure she still thought she had the upper hand and like every high school bully story. She dropped the ball in the third act, nothing really 'special' about it.” I said adding a pointed look at her with that last line.

“I will show you special.” She growled before rushing past me swinging the hammer handle at me. Forcing me to step out of the swing. She then dropped it and jumped for Twilight's crown, knocking them both over in the process. I tried rushing to help before Snips and Snails grabbed both of my arms to try and hold me back. However, a small problem with that. They were close to five foot five to five foot seven. I, however, was closer to six foot four and had enough training in street fights to flip this. I quickly jerked my right arm so my arm would disconnect from the socket which gave me enough wiggle room to get out of Snips' hold. Using my left foot, I stomped down hard on Snails foot forcing him to let me go as Snips tossed my arm away from him. With a smirk, I turned around and roundhouse kicked him onto the ground. Then picked up my arm and put it back in its socket. Turning the girls, I saw Sunset almost grabbing the tiara before Spike jumped onto her head and bite it. He ran from them as she turned back to the recovering Snips and Snails.

“Grab him, you fools!” She barked at them. They ran after Spike as I followed suit, only manages to get my hands on Snails. Spike ran up to the front of the school probably thinking the door was still unlocked. It sadly wasn't as Sunset slowly stepped up to him.

“Spike over here,” Dash said catching up. Spike nodded and threw it to her, who in turn threw it to Fluttershy after Snips tried to tackle her. Sunset and Snips dashed at Fluttershy as Snails broke free from my grasp, by sliding out of his jacket. Before they grabbed her, Applejack was able to rope Fluttershy to her. But sadly Fluttershy tossed up the tiara in the air in shock. As Snips caught it.

Pinkie being Pinkie appeared behind Snips grabbing it out of his hand and tossed it to Applejack, who tossed it to Rarity. Just as Snips and Snails ran closer, tossed it to Twilight who in fright tossed it behind her... right into Sunset's hands.

“I'll take that!” She said grinning like a mad woman as she raised the tiara to her head. “At last! More power than I could ever imagine!” Setting the tiara on her head, the girls watched with batted breath... as nothing happened. “What?” I, however, was on the ground laughing. Oh my god, that was priceless. The look of victory being a hair away only for nothing to happen, just fucking priceless. The girls were all confused, so was Snips and Snails. Hell, even Spike was just lost at what was going on as they all turned to me. “What did you do?” Sunset growled at me with the tiara on her head.

“Take the smarter route,” I said between my giggle fit. “You thought that was- and you put it on thinking- and the look, oh my god the look was priceless.” I couldn't help myself as I laughed at the look of pure boiling anger on her face.

“Is anyone else confused.” Applejack commented as the rest of the girls gave confirmed comments.

“I-I will explain,” I said catching my eye and adjusting my messenger bag again. “When Twilight and I got here I had already taken the idea to the more direct route. Which at the beginning I didn't know what that was. It was either Sunset had it, but didn't know how to use it or something happened to the crown before Sunset could enact her plan. In the case of the former, all I had to do was take it. The latter was the case was, was down to this. Where was the crown? Fluttershy gave that answer as she gave it to Principal Celestia so then it was to get it from her. After Twilight and I talked to her the first time, I stayed behind to talk to her privately.”

“Wait, that's what you were doing?” Twilight asked confused.

“Eeyup,” I said with a smirk. “After getting Celestia to understand magic was real.” I continued pointing my thumb back at the portal. “I had to get it from her, sadly she and Luna put the tiara in a time-locked safe to be open a few hours before the dance. So there wasn't much to do but wait as I don't have the strength I normally would have used.”

“So you had the crown the whole time?” Pinkie asked.

“Not the whole time, only about an hour before Celestia announced Twilight as the winner. It was the whole reason I went to use the restroom with my bag with me.”

“But if you have the crown, what's that on Sunset's head,” Dash asked this time.

“The original tiara that she brought from here to Equestria. Just done up to look more like Twilight's crown. Took a bit to get it done but was well worth the effort.”

“And the real crown?” Twilight asked as I reached over to pat my bag. Only to feel it emptier than normal.

“Righ-” was all I said before turning to see Snips had slipped in behind me and grabbed the crown tossing it to Sunset who without missing a beat put it on her head. I turned around and cold-cocked the little bastard, before watching with horror as Sunset began to transform in a beam of blue and black light. As this light show was going on a lot of the students began to come out looking at the spectacle.

When the light faded we saw the new form of Sunset, and it looked like something from hell. Like a mixture of a traditional demon with some stylized succubus tossed in for flare. The dress she had one was yellow and red and ripped up to look like flames with a matching black band around her waist. Her already fire colored hair took a more upturn fire spout look with a matching tail she seemed to grow. She also had large wings, red on the inside while it was black on the outside of it. Her boots got the same treatment as her dress is black and red with a fire like pattern at the top. The big noticeable difference was that her skin color turned a pale red, she had grown longer pointed ears and claws. Her eyes were now the same teal but the whites were now all blackened. I did not like this one bit. Not even the sharp set of fangs now in her mouth.

She revealed with glee as her change as the girls and I looked on with anger. Well most of us did, I think a few of them gasped in shock. Before we had enough time to realize the whole change she produced two balls of magic and shot them down at Snips and Snails. They changed close to Sunset's change more just being a solid color compared to sunset's multi-colored style. Snails was orange and Snips a pale blue. With turned to see the change as Snips opened his mouth saying “This is going to be so cool!” The girls stepped back as I moved to step forward towards them. I was not going to let bulk and skull here mess with my friends here.

“I wouldn't move any-” was all I got out before they rushed past me and kicked me towards the statue.

“Who's the scary one now?” Snips said with a smirk.

“Yeah!” Snails followed as I tried to get back to my feet. Lucky for me the portal was closer to me then they were. Sliding my hand in, I was able to do something Shadow had helped me learn to do before. With a smirk, I pulled my hand back to show a large white mask that covers the top half of wearers face. Around its eyes where a border of red and most important was the eye on the forehead. With a smirk, I placed it on my head.

“You don't know what scary is.” I grinned as I felt the magic flow through me. Much like how Sunset transformed, I did the same. But mine was closer to my Satyr form. The difference here was that my legs were not hooves but more like a dragon's claws. My tail was longer as well as my wings, and horns. Well minus my main unicorn horn, that wasn't there. In my mouth, I could feel my fang had grown in. The other noticeable change was that I was still orange, just brighter in color on my scales. The only different color was the tip of my tail was a long black diamond and my hair which was flickering fire like it normally does when I'm pissed.

Snips and Snails looked on in fear as I got back up to my feet, and cracked my neck lightly just by turning it. “Wha- what just happened?” Snips said stepping away from me.

“Your worse nightmare,” I growled as cracked my knuckles in both my claw and prosthetic one. The latter being much larger claws then normal. With a boost in speed, I had both of them by their shirts and in the air. “Scared?” They both nodded and I could tell they were telling the truth. “Good,” I said throwing them past the girls and towards Sunset. Who at this time had destroyed the front of the school and had the student that was trying to get away. Standing there in a mesmerized state.

“Spoiler alert, he was right when he said I wasn't planning to destroy the portal,” Sunset said with a smirk as the girls looked on at her with anger. “I plan to take over Equestria.” She said with a devious grin on her face.

“No, you're not!” Twilight said in defiance.

“Oh, please! What exactly do you think you're going to do to stop me? I have magic, and you have 'nothing'!” Sunset growled as her hair began to glow bright and wild for a moment.

“She has us!” Dash said as they all stepped up next to Twilight. The look on Sunset's face was a snark as her left eye twitched for a second.

“Gee, the gang really is all back together again. Now step aside! Twilight has tried to interfere with my plans one too many times already! She needs to be dealt with!” Sunset said forming a ball of fire out of her magic and set it right at Twilight. I stepped in front of it kicking it up into the air. Right as the girls crowded around Twilight protecting her from the attack. “What?” Sunset said looking at this in shock.

“Pop quiz Sunset, what happens when you clash an Artifact of Harmony with an Element of Harmony?” I asked as I stood between the girls and Sunset.

“What?” She asked.

“I don't know, let's find out.” With that, I flew at Sunset headbutting her. This sent her into the wall of the school.

“You bastard!” She growled before sending another ball of magic at me. This one that I spun in the air and nailed it with my tail, right back at her.

“Please Sunset, I thought you were going to be a challenge for me,” I said in a cocky tone.

“You want a challenge.” She growled at me. “Fine!” She roared before flying at me at full speed. With a smirk I had a lot more air training then she did, so while her movements were direct. I could outmaneuver her as I had the more training. Not by much, but I did have the basics down. All this was, however, a plan to get the element away from her. What I didn't expect to happen when grabbed her to redirect her downwards.

Something flashed in my mind, a memory of sorts. It looked like Sunset if she was a young filly, scared. I couldn't really get a place or a time really. Just this overwhelming sadness in her. As we fought I was getting more and more of the feeling and it clicked. This was the truth about Sunset, while outside she was power hungry, and venomous. Inside she was nothing but a scared filly who is completely lost. When she tried to grab me, I met her claws with mine just to keep her in one place. Both of our attention snapped from each other to the crown on her head as pink magic began to flow out of it, and towards the girls.

“The magic contained in my Element was able to unite with those that helped create it!” Twilight said as the girls raised up into the air and began to transform. Each one of them grew a set of pony ears, and their hair got longer forming a ponytail. Even Applejack who's hair was already in a ponytail, got a second one. That and each one of their outfits was sparkling like it was made of glitter or something. The only difference was Fluttershy, Dash, and Twilight who all got sets of pony wings with their transformation. Each of them happened in turn as Twilight called out their elements. “Together with a crown, they create a power beyond anything you could imagine, but it is a power you don't have the ability to control! The crown may be upon your head, Sunset Shimmer, but you cannot wield it, because you do not possess the most powerful magic of all. The magic of friendship!” She finished as the girls raised into the sky. Sunset looking up in fear tried to get away before I flew up behind her.

“It's time to taste the rainbow!” I said holding her as both she and I got engulfed in the blast. What happened after that was a bit of a blur. I came too a little while later when Twilight began to nudge me.

“Storm?” She asked sounding worried.

“Five more minutes.” I groaned as I was oddly comfortable where I was... where ever that was.

“Storm we need to go.” She said before I felt her lips on mine.

“Alright,” I said yawning as I woke to me leaning against the portal. “Did we win?”

“We won, thank you Storm.” She said as she and Applejack helped me back to my feet.

“What happened to Sunset?” I asked shaking the cobwebs out of my head.

“She learned that The magic of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria. That all she had to do was find it.” Twilight said pointing me towards the gaping hole in the front of the school that Sunset, Snips, and Snails were all working on fixing. “And with some help from our friends. Hopefully, she will find it too.”

“We really need to get going,” Spike said and I couldn't agree more. Well watched as Twilight turned to the other girls.

“I know we've only been friends for a short time, but I'm gonna miss all of you so much.” She said before the three of us turned towards the portal.

“That crown really does suit you, 'Princess' Twilight,” Spike said with a smirk.

“You know what, Spike? I am starting to feel a little more comfortable wearing it.”

“And the wings?” I asked.

“I've been walking on two legs and picking things up with these fingers! Wings? I'm thrilled that's all I'll be dealing with back in Equestria!” She said before we all decided to go through the taffy pulling portal again. After a few moments, we found ourselves back in the artifact room in the Crystal Empire with the girls all waiting. Minus Shining Armor and Cadence, as I figured they were taking care of their empire.

“Twilight, Storm your back!” The group said.

“And you got your crown back!” Rarity tacked on.

“I knew you could do it!” Pinkie said jumping the both of use giving the two of us a hug.

“Oh, we were so worried.” Applejack said getting a little misty-eyed.

“What of Sunset Shimmer, is she alright?” Celestia asked looking worried.

“I think she's gonna be fine. We left her in good 'hands.'” She said with a smirk that I could help but chuckle a bit. Out of all the puns she could have made, she had to go with a bad one. Before any pony else could comment Spike came out of the portal behind us it looked like the glass dimmed a little. Our time was up for another two and a half years. When decided we all could get something to eat, as most of the girls waiting by the mirror till we had returned. Spike was on my back to give Twilight a little break. She was a little lost in thought when she ran into our version of Flash Sentry.

“Excuse me, your highness.” He said with a bow and walked past most of us. Twilight couldn't help but stare at him.

“Does somepony have a crush?” Cadence asked with a smirk on her face. Twilight blushed and shook her head before Pinkie decided to open her mouth as she bounced around everypony with-

“Just totally reminds you of a guy you met in the other world who played guitar, was in a band, and helped prove you didn't destroy all the decorations for a big dance, so you could still run for princess of the big dance, and then asked you to dance.” Before she had to inhale. “Right?”

“How did you know that?” Twilight asked completely confused, at this point I got the feeling it was-

“Just a hunch.” Pinkie said giving the biggest smile. I fucking knew it! When we got to the dining hall, we found out that food was already prepared.

“Twily, Storm, your back!” Shining said from the other side of the table, before coming around giving Twilight a rather big hug.

“It's good to see you again B.B.B.F.F,” Twilight said using her wings to wrap around her brother.

“Cadence were back,” I said over our link with a smirk.

“Storm!” Cadence said before after a few moments popping into existence giving me a tackled hug. I thought Lyra and Pinkie were the only ones that would do that. Come to think about it Dash does that too, but that's more a crash than a tackle. I will admit, it was nice to finally be home. Well... more in the sense of my home universe and not in the back at the library home. We all sat down and began to eat, well most of us. Twilight began to go over everything that happened followed by the slack I was about to get for my actions. Oh, boy...

[End of Chapter]