The next day at Starswirl Academy, Spike walked to class before meeting up with Snips and Snails, "Hey, guys."

"Spike-o, morning, buddy!" Snails called.

"Hoping to catch some hot shots of some of the ladies here?" Snips asked hopefully.

"You know it." Spike laughed, as they headed for class. He thought to himself, 'I feel so much better knowing they're no longer sleeper agents. I just hope Sunset Shimmer's better than yesterday.'

In the class of Twilight and the girls, they saw Sunset Shimmer's chair was unoccupied which got them concerned, 'Sunset's not in class today. Hope she's all right.' Twilight thought in worry.

After school, Spike met up with the girls, "Did you see Sunset Shimmer?" he asked.

"No. She wasn't in class today." Twilight answered.

"After yesterday who could blame her for not wanting to come?" Fluttershy asked.

"I do hope she hasn't gone and done something she'd regret." Rarity feared.

"You and me both." Applejack agreed.

"Maybe we should talk to Principal Celestia about this?" Rainbow suggested.

"I'm already aware of it, Rainbow." Celestia came down the steps.

"Principal Celestia." they greeted her.

"So Sunset Shimmer didn't show up today?" Celestia asked.

"She didn't." Twilight confirmed.

"And there were no calls from her parents either." the principal said.

"So she decided to play hooky?" Spike asked.

"I'm not sure, but one thing is sure we can't let her go. Spike, I want you to find her."

"Me?"

"Yes. Do you still have her scent recognized?"

"Of course." he confirmed.

"Then you must find her and see how she is. And give this to her," she gave Spike a small case, "Tell her to open it once she makes her final decision."

"Sure thing, Princess. I'll see you girls later." Spike said, as he went dragon and flew off.

"Good luck, Spike." Twilight said, as they watched him fly off.

Meanwhile at Chrysalis' lair, the Queen was standing before her subjects, "We've lost She-Demon, Pyro, and Frost. And we will make those Elements of Harmony pay!"

"Long live the Changelings!" one called, as the rest followed.

"Yes!" Chrysalis smirked, "We will first take those Elements of Harmony prisoner, and then consume all the love in this land and Equestria!" the Changelings cheered.

With Spike, the dragon was flying the sky's sniffing the air before taking a big whiff, "Gotcha!" he started gliding down before spotting Sunset Shimmer walking with a knapsack on her back, "Going in." he went in closer.

Sunset Shimmer walked feeling miserable with what happened with herself yesterday, and felt it was too much for her.

"This is the only thing I can do to repent for the trouble I brought." she said sadly to herself.

"Hey, Sunset Shimmer," came a familiar voice. She turned and saw Spike as a human approach, "Are you taking off somewhere?"

"That's my business." Sunset answered, preparing to walk away, only for Spike to run ahead and block her.

"Well, it's my business to make sure you don't go making a big mistake."

"Spike, I really don't have time for this." Sunset tried to get around him, but the boy wasn't backing down.

"Well your schedule's cleared now. So I suggest you come sit down with me and talk this out."

Sunset narrowed her eyes at him, "You're not going to leave until I listen, are you?"

Spike smirked, "That's my plan." Sunset sighed feeling it was best to go through with it.

Elsewhere, as the girls were planning to stop for a bite, they saw their elements of harmony were glowing, "Girls, we got trouble." Twilight said.

"Trouble is right!" came a voice, as Chrysalis and her Changelings flew onto the scene.

"Chrysalis." Twilight frowned.

Chrysalis looked around, "So where's the dragon boy?"

"That's none of your concern." Rarity replied.

"No matter. You six will be just as good." Chrysalis smirked.

"Without your puppets anymore you don't stand a chance." Pinkie called.

"You really think so? Well, I'll show you just how strong we are without the use of my demon trio," Chrysalis motioned to her Changelings, "Attack!"

"Power up, girls!" Twilight called, as they transformed. They started attacking the Changelings with Twilight going after Chrysalis.

Meanwhile back with Spike, he and Sunset were sitting on a bench with Sunset explaining things, "I couldn't come to school. How can I face anybody after all I did?"

"What you did was not your fault, Sunset. Chrysalis brainwashed you." Spike calmed her.

"Even so. The stuff I did still remains with me. I mean how come you're not more mad at me than you should be?"

"Like I said, your mind was not your own. It was all Chrysalis' doing." Spike repeated himself.

"Still... I don't know if I could ever forgive myself for what I did." Sunset looked down in despair.

Spike laid a hand on Sunset's as she looked at him, "The girls and I have already forgiven you, Sunset. Know that. The only one one who you need to be forgiven by is yourself now."

"Myself?"

"That's right," he reached into his pocket and pulled out the case Celestia gave him, "And here. Celestia told me to give this to you. And she also requested you open it when you make your final decision."

"What's in it?" Sunset asked, as she held it.

"I have no idea." Spike answered, until he froze up and heard Twilight in his thoughts.

'Spike, Chrysalis and her changelings have us outnumbered at the park. We need your help.'

'Hang on Twilight. I'm on my way,' he thought back, before speaking to Sunset Shimmer, "I'm sorry but I need to go."

"Is something wrong?" Sunset asked in concern.

"Something's come up at the park. My friends need me," Spike got up and went dragon form, "Take my words to heart, Sunset. This could be a perfect lesson for you." he took flight and headed off.

Sunset Shimmer watched Spike leave, while holding onto the case in her hand.

Back at the fight, Twilight was blasting at Chrysalis with her magic, as the queen was countering with her own magic.

"Your magic is powerful, Princess. But you still have a long way to go to match someone of my power." Chrysalis mocked her.

"Then you'll make the perfect workout!" Twilight continued to fight her.

Down on the ground, the rest of the girls were dealing with the changelings who morphed into them with the real pony girl fighting off all her replicas.

"Come on, fakes. How about some more?!" Rainbow asked, as she was zapping her fakes with lightning strikes.

Pinkie was dancing around before covering the ground with water and turning it to ice, "Don't slip!" the changelings had begun slipping on the ice she created.

Rarity and Fluttershy backed into each other while fighting off the changelings, as the shy one spoke, "They just keep coming."

"I know. At this rate they'll bury us alive." Rarity added, as she blasted some with her magic.

Appeljack was punching and kicking some back, while some managed to get the drop on her, until Rainbow blasted one off her, "If we don't get some help we're gonna be up to our necks in trouble." Applejack said.

Suddenly some of the changelings were blasted away by fire, as Spike dove onto the scene, "Sorry I'm late, girls."

"Spike!" they cheered.

Spike looked up at Chrysalis seeing her fighting Twilight, with the princess starting to get tired, "Hang on, Twi!" he flew up and assisted her.

"So the dragon has made himself present. This will be good." Chrysalis licked her lips.

"Your reign ends here, Chrysalis!" Spike declared.

"We'll see about that!" Chrysalis fought Spike and Twilight, as the two remained strong.

Back with Sunset Shimmer, she was on her way to the bus station, while pondering on what Spike said to her, "Forgive myself? How can I after all I did?" she asked her reflection in a store window.

Suddenly her reflection representing her conscience spoke back, "Maybe you're just afraid that you may end up making the same mistakes down the line."

"That's why I have to get away from this. I don't wanna hurt anymore people."

"And you think running away and abandoning everyone will protect them? That's only gonna hurt them more and yourself."

"What if I mess up again?"

"Then you'll just have to keep on trying. Those girls were there for you on your first day. They made you feel welcomed."

"Yes, that's true."

"Aren't they the kind of friends you would stick your neck out for if anything happened to them?"

"They..." Sunset Shimmer realized, "Yes they are."

"And would you?" her conscience continued to question her.

"I... I would." she smiled at her reflection which was her actual reflected smile.

Sunset feeling confident in herself no longer had any desire to skip down. She then remembered what Spike gave her. She pulled out the case and opened it revealing to be the element given to her by Chrysalis. Upon seeing it she was reminded of her time as She-Demon, but saw a note along with it.

'Sunset Shimmer, opening this means you've made your decision. After much careful experimenting and magic spells, Luna, Discord, and I have purified this element of it's evil and dark magic and replaced it with magic of good and light. It is yours now, and you are free to use it for your own choices. Sincerely Princess Celestia.'

Sunset finished reading the letter with a tear in her eye. She then shook it off and looked determined, "I have to help my friends." she ran off.

Back at the fight, as the girls were still battling the changelings, Spike was blasting Chrysalis with his fire while the queen maneuvered in the air.

"Too slow, dragon!" she blasted Spike who started falling.

"Spike!" Twilight went to dive down and save him, only for a bunch of changelings to block her.

Chrysalis instead dove down and caught Spike by the collar. She giggled and spoke, "Oh, yes. You have so much love brewing inside of you it's like a years supply of food."

"No! You can't take my love! It's what I treasure!" Spike cried.

"I know. That's what makes it all the more tasty." Chrysalis smirked, as her horn glowed.

Spike cringed wishing for a miracle to save him, and sure enough, "HEY, YOU!" Everyone looked over seeing Sunset Shimmer stand her ground, "Let the dragon go!"

"Sunset Shimmer?" the girls gasped.

"You came?" Spike asked.

Sunset smiled, "Of course I did. I'd never leave my friends."

Chrysalis spoke, "You are a fool for coming here. Why risk your life for them after all you did?"

"Because they're my friends."

Chrysalis laughed, "Oh, you are such a naïve child. What makes you think they're your real friends?"

"Because they've forgiven me. And I've forgiven myself!" she held up her element of harmony, "Transform!" she began glowing, as everyone was astounded.

Sunset transformed into an anthro unicorn with her coat colored light brilliant amber. Sunset Shimmer looked at her new form, "Now this is more like it. Although I miss the wings." brushing it off she got into a stance and using her combustion element blasted at the changelings the girls were fighting.

Chrysalis was shocked at this development, which brought Spike enough time to break free from her hold, "New score for us, Queenie!" Spike mocked.

Chrysalis growled, "I will not be outdone!" she attempted to blast Spike, only for her attack to get repelled by Twilight's magical shield.

"Forget about me?" The princess asked, as the two engaged in combat.

Down on the ground, Sunset Shimmer was assisting the girls in fending off against the insect ponies, "You girls ok?"

"We're fine now, thanks to you." Applejack said.

"Glad you could make it." Rarity smiled.

"Like I'd miss it?" Sunset smiled.

They jumped at an explosion from above seeing Twilight and Spike still struggling against Chrysalis, "They need our help." Pinkie gasped.

"But what about them?" Fluttershy asked motioning to the changelings getting back up.

The changelings were ready to attack again only to get repelled by a force field, "What's going on?" Sunset asked.

"Just buying some time." Everyone saw Shining Armor projecting a barrier around them, with Cadence using her magic to keep him strong.

"Shining Armor! Cadence!"

"Looks like we got here just in time." Cadence said.

"We could use your help." Applejack admitted.

"What can we do about all these changelings?" Fluttershy wondered.

Sunset Shimmer had started some analyzing, before speaking, "I have a plan."

"What is it?" Shining Armor asked.

"We trap them like bugs to a bug zapper."

"Huh?" Rainbow and Pinkie wondered.

"You might wanna explain better." Applejack suggested.

"One thing I've learned while serving under Chrysalis is her changelings much like regular insects are drawn to light. If we can make something bright enough we can attract them all to it." Sunset explained.

"How?" Fluttershy asked.

"Rarity, use your elemental power and create a giant crystal."

"All right." Rarity started concentrating.

Soon she created a big crystal and levitated it high above them, "Now what?" Rainbow asked.

"Watch," Sunset called up to Twilight, "Twilight, aim your magic at the crystal!"

Twilight looked over and it dawned on her what Sunset had planned, "On it!" she blasted the crystal with her magic resulting in it reflecting the light from it making it like a big glowing ball.

The changelings looked at it with amaze, "So pretty." one buzzed.

"Beautiful."

And they all started swarming at it and covered it with their bodies, "My turn!" Cadence called as she blasted it with her own magic trapping the entire changeling swarm in a crystal sphere freezing them inside it.

"Yes!" the girls cheered.

"NO!" Chrysalis screamed before glaring down at Sunset, "You ruined everything!" she roared as she dove down at Sunset planning to attack.

Before she could reach her, Twilight flew down and dropped her foot down on the Queen's back slamming her into the ground.

Chrysalis groaned, "My back."

Twilight smiled at Sunset Shimmer who smiled back, the two used their magic to levitate Chrysalis up who was weakened from her fight.

Cadence spoke, "Queen Chrysalis, you have committed enough crimes and atrocities in Equestria, and brainwashing three innocent lives into attacking my fellow princess. As punishment, you will be banished into the depths of Tartarus locked in solid crystal!" she blasted Chrysalis with her magic.

"NO!" Chrysalis cried, as crystal started forming around her and was left frozen inside a giant crystal.

The group stared at Chrysalis imprisoned in crystal, as Twilight smiled, "Well, done, team. Especially you, Sunset Shimmer."

"Thanks, Twilight." Sunset smiled happily, and was glomped form behind by Pinkie.

"We got a new teammate!"

"But how did this happen?" Fluttershy asked.

"That was our doing." Celestia answered, as she and Luna appeared.

"Princess." Twilight greeted them.

"Well done, all of you." Luna commended them.

Celestia turned to Sunset, "Thank you, Sunset Shimmer. You've shown true courage and kindness in helping your friends. And most importantly, learned to forgive yourself. I know you will wield the element of Forgiveness with much wisdom and heart."

Sunset smiled, "Thank you, Princess. But I could not have achieved this without some help," she turned to Spike who landed on the ground, "Thank you, Spike. For showing me I was capable of learning from my mistakes." she embraced him tightly, while Spike felt flustered as the girl pressed her impressive bust right into his chest.

"No problem." Spike smiled, while feeling aroused. Suddenly he saw Twilight glaring at him with twitching eyes, "Uh, we might want to stop now." he said nervously, while the others giggled.

Meanwhile in the dark lair, the remaining two villains Sombra and Tirek had just finished watching the battle with Chrysalis and her changelings against the others.

"So Chrysalis is now lost to us." Tirek said.

"Not so much," Sombra replied, "She is merely banished into Tartarus. We can always try and bust her out."

"Do not even bother with her," Tirek replied, "Like Nightmare Moon, if you can't succeed you're better off forgotten."

"Which leaves only us two." Sombra added.

"Exactly. But we will not let their mistakes reflect upon us. We will annihilate those Elements of Harmony and the Dragon King no matter what." Tirek declared.

Sombra nodded, "Yes. And then both Equestria and this world will be ours to control." his eyes glowed.

Author's Notes:

And there you go. Today marks the end of the MLP season, and now we await the next one in about a year. As for this part of my fic, think of it as the end of the arc in highschool dxd featuring Kokabiel and the Holy Sword Project. See you all next time.