Sunset could only watch in horror as Celestia jumped in front of the Dark Lord's death ray. It felt like the entire universe was crumbling in front of her. She had fought to regain Celestia's love, completing a redemption arc that was long and extremely emotional, only for it all to collapse in a single moment. She galloped to Celestia's side and cradled her close.

Celestia, to her credit, was holding back the deadly effects of the magic, but she was fading fast. She struggled to maintain breath. "Sunset... there you are..."

"No, Celestia, you can't die. The ponies of Equestria need you! That blast was meant for me!"

"I know. But I've had my time... It's up to you now..."

"I'm not ready!"

"You are. I know it. You've earned your redemption, and now it's time for your true story to begin."

"My... true story? I don't understand."

"You will understand in time. But I want you to know..."

"Yes?"

"That you were always... my favorite daughter." And with that, Celestia faded at last.

"Your... your what?" Sunset was shocked to hear something like that.

"That's right, her daughter." Sunset turned around to see Twilight Sparkle in front of her! "A few years ago, Celestia gave birth to seven daughters. In the event of her death, they would compete amongst themselves to decide who take over Equestria. Now, all seven of us are alicorns, and we can begin."

"But I'm not..." She looked back to see that somehow, she had gained her own set of wings and horns. There was only one explanation: Celestia, in her dying breath, had passed on her alicorn magic to Sunset!

"Shall we begin?" said Twilight Sparkle. Five other alicorns gathered behind Twilight; Sunset knew them all. The red-coated Lady Dusk Spark, as powerful a mage as ever has been; Nightfall Gleam, the Witch of the Lambs, whose indigo coat mirrored her shadowy personality; Evening Glimmer, the Light of the North, with a coat as yellow as gold; Gloaming Twinkle, the Green Aedile of Fate, whose magic could rip a body in two; and--

"Trixie? You're one of the daughters of Celestia?" Sunset questioned.

"That's right," claimed Trixie. "But Trixie is just my stage name. My true name is--"

***

"Okay, okay, stop." Twilight threw the fanfic down onto the table. "Really? Trixie is actually Celestia's daughter?"

"Which would make you two long-lost sisters!" Pinkie squealed and hopped up and down in glee. "Isn't that just the best plot twist ever?"

"It's completely impossible is what it is!" Twilight said. "Celestia dedicated her life to celibacy, you know that."

"That's just what she wants us to think!"

"And you've met my actual parents!" Twilight told her.

"Another cunning ruse to throw us off the trail!"

"Anyway, everything else is just kind of silly. The plot twists, the names... and alicorn magic definitely doesn't work that way." Twilight shook her head. "I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I think you're gonna have to go back to the drawing board on this one."

"Aw, but this was the leadup to my 150-part epic, 'The War of the Seven Daughters!'" said Pinkie, crestfallen.

"I think it needs some work before you put it out there, is all." Twilight smiled. "Once you've got another draft ready, though, I'd love to read it."

"Sure." Once Twilight left Pinkie's room, Pinkie sighed and went to her wardrobe. "All right, you can come out now. I guess it didn't work."

Celestia stepped out from all the dresses and party supplies, shaking confetti out of her mane. "How do you make it bigger on the inside like that?"

"Narrative magic. But that's not important right now." Pinkie gestured to the story. "I guess she's just not ready to hear this yet."

"Someday, perhaps," Celestia replied. "Until then, I will keep watching over her and her sisters, awaiting the day when the war will truly begin."

"And I'll record it, just like I always have," said Pinkie.

"Yes, I know you will. It has always been your duty to record the stories of the ages and save them for future generations. I know you will do it admirably, here as you have before... Starswirl."

DUN DUN DUN!

***

"...Really?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie shrugged sheepishly. "I thought it was a good twist," she replied.