Whatever mood things had been in the night before, now, things could not be described as anything other than calm. Twilight sat at the side of an exquisite table, sitting alongside not only Spike, but also her brother, Shining Armour, her sister-in-law, Princess Cadence, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, and finally, right at the end of the table, Sunset Shimmer. As Twilight took a careful sip of her tea, she looked on, seeing the formerly-exiled unicorn speak to her old mentor, with a smile upon her face. Sunset was happy, perhaps more than she had been in many years, and as for Celestia, Twilight knew that look well. It was the same look she wore when her sister, Luna, had been freed of the influence of Nightmare Moon, one of utter contentment, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. And speaking of Luna, Twilight now glanced in her direction. It was subtle, but the young alicorn could see the small signs of a poor night's sleep, no doubt the effect of what Twilight knew the princess had created within her own dreams. She knew she would have to talk to her about that eventually, but for the time being, she focused her attention on the reunion between student and teacher before her. Sunset was looking more like Twilight was when she was younger, going on about all the strange things she encountered in that other world, to which Twilight couldn't help but smile.

"I bet it must be strange to be back home after so long, right, Sunset?" she asked.

The older unicorn looked to her and nodded.

"I'll say. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to even have hooves, much less how to use them."

There was a general moment of laughter amongst the assembled ponies, which did a lot to alleviate some of the discomfort that they had been experiencing at having her be seated with them until this point. However, despite that moment of levity, a sudden look of guilt crossed Sunset's face, and she looked down to her own cup of tea in silence, all while Twilight looked to her with a raised eyebrow. In time, the former finally spoke, her expression one of apology.

"Twilight, I...I'm sorry...for trying to take your crown."

Many of the other ponies looked to Twilight, trying to see how she would react to this. But, in contrast to how they might have expected her to respond, she simply put on a smile and shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. You were in a bad place in your life when you tried to do that. Besides, everything worked out for the better, didn't it?"

A look of uncertainty crossed Sunset's face for a brief moment, after which, she put on a small smile.

"I guess it did."

Spike actually let out a sigh of relief that this moment ended as well as it did, to which Twilight couldn't help but giggle. With that moment now passed, Sunset looked to Celestia, and then to Luna, studying the latter very carefully before speaking up again.

"I've gotta say...a lot has changed since I was in Equestria last. I mean...you have a sister?!"

Although taken aback by the forwardness of those words, Luna smiled and nodded in response.

"Indeed. I was surprised to hear of your existence as well, young Sunset. But...I’m sure my sister had her reasons for her silence to both of us."

Sunset nodded, looking away from Luna with a slight look of shame, clearly regretting having brought the matter up. However, moments afterwards, a pristine white hoof was placed upon Sunset's shoulder, causing her to look up at the smiling form of Princess Celestia. No words passed between them, but the message was nevertheless clear; that Celestia did not mind the asking of the question. Breathing a sigh of relief, Sunset smiled at her old teacher before getting back to her tea. After taking another sip of it, she looked up to the rest of the group for a few silent moments before speaking up again.

"It's been such a long time since I've been amongst those who actually wanted to be around me. I'd...I'd forgotten just how much I missed it.”

Although that remark earned Sunset many smiles from the other ponies, as well as Spike, for Twilight, things were different. Her mind called forth memories of the other side, that other world, and five young girls, so much like her Ponyville friends, who had been torn apart by the actions of the mare that now sat opposite her. It was, needless to say, something she was hesitant to bring up, especially since Sunset seemed so happy right now. And yet, having known just recently what it was like to have friends drift apart from one another, Twilight knew, in her heart, that she simply couldn't let things be. She had to try and fix what had been broken, and Sunset was going to have to help her do it. However, she bided her time for the moment, watching as everypony around her continued chatting amongst themselves, smiling and laughing in the afternoon sun, until, at long last, their tea had all been drunk, and it seemed as if everything they needed to say to one another had been said. Only now, in this moment, did Twilight take action, clearing her throat in a manner that immediately gained everypony's attention. When all of them looked to her, Twilight's gaze was locked onto Sunset in particular, as she took a deep breath before speaking up.

"Sunset...you were in that other world for a long time. And while you were there...you weren't exactly in the best of moods."

Sunset looked away, with an expression that made it obvious that she had a good idea where this was going. Moments later, Twilight confirmed her worries.

"Tell me...did you, perhaps...do some...unwarranted things to those who lived there?"

Silence fell, and all of the other ponies and Spike looked from one mare to the other, until, at last, Sunset let out a sigh.

"You already know the answer to that, don't you, Twilight? You and all that future stuff in your head. You know exactly what I did."

Her words were not of anger, or even condemnation, but even so, Twilight hung her head before giving a nod. Sunset looked up to Celestia, expecting to see perhaps some kind of look of disappointment at her student's actions. Instead, there was simply understanding, just as there always was. For a moment, it caused Sunset to feel yet another pang of guilt, but soon afterwards, she let out a sigh, looking to Twilight with determination on her face.

"I made many mistakes when I was over there, Twilight. I admit that. But...I...I can’t go back. I can't face them after everything I did to tear them apart."

Sunset looked down at the table, with shame plastered all over their face.

"I...I did so many things behind their back. If they find out just how much I did...they'd never forgive me."

Those words in particular stung Twilight's heart well, for she knew the kind of fear Sunset was going through, having experienced it herself not so long ago. The fear of what may happen if others discover the things you did, and what they may do if you confess to them. It was not a pleasant feeling, and given her own experience in the matter, Twilight was not exactly in a position to condemn Sunset for wanting to avoid such a meeting. However, she remained quiet as the formerly-exiled unicorn continued.

"How...how can I possibly face them after all this?"

After all that, Twilight broke into a small smile, and raised a hoof before casually pointing it to Celestia.

"You faced her, didn't you?"

Although initially confused at that, Sunset soon understood Twilight's words, and turned to look upon her old mentor, who placed a hoof upon her shoulder once more before giving a reassuring smile. There was an uncomfortable silence from the older unicorn for a time, and it was clear from the look on her face that she was thinking hard on this matter. Having been in a similar position herself, Twilight knew what must have been going on in her one-time rival's head right now. Scenario after scenario of just how bad things might be if she actually went ahead and confessed her acts to those five girls in the other world. It was a debate that Twilight and the other ponies simply let Sunset have for a few moments, until finally, the latter let out a sigh, slumping her shoulders in slight defeat before looking up at Twilight, her expression softer than it had been before.

"Alright. I guess...I have a responsibility to try and fix my mess. I just...don't know how I can do it."

Hearing that, Twilight smiled as she looked to her, speaking up in a calm and reassuring way.

"Don't worry, Sunset...you won't go there alone."

"You're going to what?!"

Shining's distress over what he'd just heard was evident, as he stared at his sister with his mouth agape. All of the princesses, as well as Sunset, had gathered here, in the room of the magic mirror, ready to see the former student of Celestia take her leave into that other world. However, Twilight continued to look to her brother, raising a hoof in an attempt to calm him down.

"I meant what I said, Shining. I'll be going with her. She needs somepony to vouch for her over there."

The older stallion shook his head at that.

"Yes, I know, but...it could be dangerous! I can't just send you through that thing without protection!"

Twilight rolled her eyes at the usual over-protectiveness her brother was showing here. Although, it wasn't long before Princess Luna added her own voice to the mix.

"Your brother raises a good point, Twilight. We may not have much experience with that other world, but we do know of the power of the mirror. Everything we know of it tells us that its power is only in bloom during a brief period. And after that...it is closed for a very long time. If you go there, you risk being trapped, perhaps for years."

But, in stark contrast to how Luna might have expected Twilight to react to that, the young alicorn merely gave a small smirk.

"Oh, don't worry, Luna. I already have that covered."

Naturally, the princess of the moon raised an eyebrow at that remark, as did Shining. But moments later, they noticed that Twilight was looking to something behind them, causing all of them, including Celestia, Sunset and Cadence to turn. There, entering the room at last, was Spike. However, it was what he was holding that caused everypony to look on with both confusion and shock. For there, being gently carried in his clawed hands, was the Element of Magic. Although nopony knew what was going on here, they remained silent as the young dragon handed the crown to his adopted mother, after which she used her magic to levitate it and place it atop her head. With the crown now in place, she smiled at her son, giving him a gentle pat on the head, before gaining a more serious look. She turned, staring straight at the ancient mirror before her, and then closed her eyes. Nopony said a word, but they knew the start of a spell when they saw one, and thus began to step away from Twilight. Their instincts turned out to be correct on this count, as within moment, not only was Twilight's horn glowing, but so too was the star-shaped jewel at the top of the crown. Moments afterwards, the two auras combined, and Twilight became entirely bathed in a bright magical shimmer, with her eyes finally opening to reveal the same glow in her eyes as she usually had when wielding this crown.

The power of an alicorn, as most ponies knew, was beyond what any one unicorn, no matter how powerful, could accomplish. And likewise, the Elements of Harmony, and the Element of Magic especially, were among the most powerful magical artefacts known to ponykind. With those two great powers, alicorn and Element, now working in unison, Twilight was able to tap into a power so strong that Equestria had perhaps never seen the like of it, at least, not since the days when the two sisters had wielded the Elements themselves. Concentrating hard on her newfound power, Twilight lowered her horn, pointing it straight to the shimmering surface of the mirror. Within seconds of doing that, she shot forth a powerful magical blast, striking the mirror and engulfing it in her great energies. The mirror glowed more brightly than it had before, as indeed did Twilight as her spell continued, and all of the other ponies began to take further steps backwards from all this, with all of them looking to Twilight with great concern. It took almost a full minute, but eventually, Twilight's aura began to diminish, and shortly after that, the glow disappeared entirely, much to the relief of the others. After panting heavily, a sure sign that this spell had exhausted her, Twilight put on a small smile, before turning and levitating the crown over to Spike once more.

"There...that should do it."

Sunset looked to her, and then to the mirror, and then back to Twilight.

"Wha...what did you do?!"

Twilight turned to her and put on a smile.

"I...er...wedged the door open?"

It took a few moments, but Sunset's eyes began to widen with shock.

"You mean...?"

Twilight nodded.

"Yep. With any luck, the portal should be open permanently now."

Sunset looked to her with her mouth hanging open.

"You...you can do that?"

Twilight gave another nod.

"It took some effort...but yes. Although...that's not the only thing I've done to it, but we can discuss those other things at another time."

Needless to say, that earned more than a few surprised expressions around the room, Celestia and Luna especially. The display of magic that they'd just witnessed before them was unlike anything they'd ever seen before. They knew Twilight was powerful, but to see it like that was something else altogether. The only pony not surprised here was Shining, who had seen his sister's power before, when fighting the dragon near Ponyville. He looked to her with pride, clearly pleased that she was so adept at the magic she loved. But, in this moment of silence, is was Celestia who spoke, turning to Sunset and smiling warmly at her.

"Be brave over there. Saying sorry is sometimes the hardest thing one can do in their life."

Sunset nodded at that, smiling in appreciation over the fact that, even now, her old teacher was giving sound advice to her. However, it wasn't long before Celestia spoke again, putting on a more mischievous grin as she did so.

"And also...don't hesitate to visit again soon."

Sunset giggled slightly at that, before moving forward and embracing her teacher. Smiling at this herself, Twilight faced the mirror once more, staring at it intently, only to turn around again when she noticed Spike carefully place the Element on a nearby table.

"Spike? I'm going to need you to come with us too."

As one might expect, that caught the young dragon's attention immediately, as he turned to his mother with a look that made it clear that he didn't quite believe what he'd heard.

"Are...are you sure?"

Twilight nodded at that.

"Trust me...having you along is going to help a lot."

Spike, under normal circumstances, might have questioned those words. Instead, he was simply happy that Twilight needed him along on one of her adventures for once, leading to a hug between the two. Moments afterwards, when both Twilight and Sunset had finished their respective embraces, they stood side-by-side, looking straight at the mirror, with Spike alongside them. Twilight glanced over her shoulder, seeing all of the other ponies there behind her, with her brother giving her one last "be careful" look to her, prompting her to smile at him. Looking back to the mirror, she let out a sigh, and then charged forward, with Sunset and Spike close behind her. The moment she passed through the shining surface of the mirror, it was like a whirlwind, with powerful and ancient magics swirling all around her, making her move faster than any living creature could possibly go, and all the while, she felt it; the change. The transition was painless, and yet, she could feel herself become something else, something different. She knew what it was she would be when she passed through on the other side, and within moments of thinking that, she finally got there, hurled from the portal rather unceremoniously before landing face-first onto the ground. Although annoyed by this, she soon recovered enough to get a feel for the situation.

As she remembered, she had been transformed. Gone was the horn, the wings, the hooves and the fur. Instead, she was a human. Clad in a blue shirt and purple skirt, she took a moment to get herself to her feet, and while she remembered having mastered such movement the first time around, it was still a difficult thing for one who had spent her whole life on all fours. After brushing herself off from the impact, she turned to look upon Sunset and Spike. Naturally, having been here for several years, Sunset, who was also in her human form, had no trouble whatsoever in walking on only two legs, and looked to her with a smile. But, as for Spike, he seemed less than enthusiastic, as he had been changed not into a human, but a dog. After giving himself a look-over, he looked to his adopted mother and gave her an utterly deadpan expression.

"Mom...I’m going to assume you knew I was going to look like this?"

Twilight used all of her strength to stifle the giggle that now threatened to emerge from her.

"Sorry, Spike...but yeah."

The small dog rolled his eyes at that, leading to Twilight then looking to Sunset, who seemed to be quite concerned about all this. However, Twilight looked to her with a soft expression, speaking in a calm manner as she took a step closer.

"It's going to be okay, Sunset."

The ex-unicorn looked to her ex-alicorn friend and let out a sigh.

"I hope so, Twilight...I really do."