Twilight sat in the back of her parents' (Sparkles', Sparkles' parents' she reminded herself angrily) car. No one said anything. What was there to say? What could anyone say to the murder of a child? Any murder for that matter? Still, she was grateful for the silence. It allowed her crushing guilt to slowly destroy her sole uninterrupted. That was a good thing. It's what she wanted. She wanted to feel this ever growing black mass of despair. She wanted to own it and never forget it.

Since coming here (about a month ago), what had she really done? Taken tests, homework, gossip, date, lose her virginity (not a small thing mind you; just not what she came her to do), chores, and practice some magic. That was it. She was here to stop a monster and didn't. Under her watch Chrysalis had killed even more people and tonight, two had been friends of hers. Well, avatars, doubles of people she knew. She had failed in her mission and others had paid the price.

She thought about how triumphant she had felt after battling Chrysalis earlier. They had unmasked her, went into her very mind, and beaten her back. She should have known better. In both her previous battles with her Chrysalis had proven to be a masterful tactician. Always thinking one hundred steps ahead; having contingency plans for her contingency plans. Even now Twilight shuddered at what she might be plotting or planning on doing. Tonight was a warning. Not a warning shot. A warning of a warning shot. Things were going to get bad it was just a question of how bad.

She had to step up now. She couldn't allow anyone else to die. Of course that begged the question of what would she do? She couldn't keep up the façade of being a high school girl; but what other option did she have? She doubted the Sparkles would believe her if she told them the truth. She would have to think of something though and fast.

They finally got home and parked along the sidewalk. Each got slowly out and shuffled in to the house; the weight of their collective grief making any normal paced movement impossible. Mrs. Sparkle went in first, followed by Twilight, with Mr. Sparkle coming in last.

As soon as he shut the door, Mr. Sparkle spoke, "Sakura, we need to talk."

Twilight looked at Mrs. Sparkle, then to Mr. Sparkle, and nodded. She didn't know what they were going to say but no matter what it was it was best to let them say it.

"Sakura, we love you," Mr. Sparkle started, putting his hands on Twilights' shoulders, "and we love what you've become since transferring to Cantorlot High. You've become so much more personable and friendly and out going. You're mother and I had been worried for so long that you would never come out of your shell. Now, her you are, you've blossomed into a fine, beautiful young lady." Mr. Sparkle paused just to smile at Twilight with the honest joy he felt at her transformation.

He then looked down slightly, just enough to break eye contact. "It's just that, with every thing going on, the murders that have taken place, Cantorlot is so far away, that . . ., we feel that it's best if you transfer back to Crystal Prep."

Twilight's mouth dropped open in shock. This could not, can not be! Not now. She couldn't be separated from the group. She needed them and they needed her. More importantly, the entire world needed her. How could she take down Chrysalis without her friends?

Mrs. Sparkle walked up behind Twilight and put her arm around her. "Honey, I know you've made friends there and Flash goes there. We understand. Truly we do. If we were your age, in your shoes, we'd feel betrayed and our parents were unreasonable. This isn't something we do lightly. We talked about this the whole way over to pick you up. We just feel it's for the best if you stayed closer to home."

"And it won't be instantaneous either. Remember? It took about a two weeks to transfer you over the last time. So you'll have a little time to be with your friends. Plus you have the internet, phones, and they're always welcomed to come here so it won't be that bad."

Twilight just looked at Mr. Sparkle for a bit, mouth still slightly opened. Then she closed it with a nod. Two weeks, she had two weeks to complete her mission. Good. The time frame was another kick in the rear for her to get going. Two weeks to find and destroy Chrysalis. So be it.

"Ok Chi chi," Twilight said to Mr. Sparkle then turned to Mrs. Sparkle " Ha ha. I understand. You love me and only want what's best for me. I understand. May I please just go to my room now? I just want to go to bed.

"Absolutely Sakura," Mr. Sparkle said and then hugged and kissed Twilight on the forehead.

"Night sweetie," Mrs. Sparkle said and hugged and kissed Twilight as well.

They watched as Twilight climbed the steps and disappear. As soon she was gone, Mrs. Sparkle turned to her husband.

"She took that surprisingly well. I was prepared for a big knock down, screaming fight," she said, both relieved and worried at the same time.

Mr. Sparkle just shrugged. "Shock maybe? Too depressed to argue? Twilight has always been an exceptional smart and mature girl; maybe she just realized we were right - or final? Either way I'm glad. Maybe the fight will come tomorrow or next week. But, as I said, I'm just grateful it wasn't tonight."

The next day, Twilight just stayed in her room; coming out only to shower and eat. Flash had called to see if she how she was doing. She filled him in on everything that had happened at the sleep over and told him about what the Sparkles were going to do and how they only had two weeks to end this.

"You think we can?" Flash asked.

"We have to. We don't have any other option," Twilight responded flatly.

"Alright then," Flash simply responded.

They both just remained silent for awhile, not knowing what to say. Finally Twilight spoke.

"It's my fault. I didn't do enough."

"What? No! Twilight, this isn't your fault. How can you put this on yourself like this?"

"Easy. Because it's true. What have I actually done to stop Chrysalis Flash? Outside of talking about it? I've done nothing but play school while a killer was on the loose."

"You did what you could. You have to play school girl because that is your cover. And those meetings were important. I mean, yeah, you and Sunset might be adults, but the rest of us aren't. Even if you cut me and the other guys out of the equation, Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, they're still school girls and you need them; like, literally need them."

"People died. Applejack's sister and grandmother were killed . . ."

"After you already battled this Chrysalis once. You did your job. You found her, you fought her, you won, she struck back. You told me from the start this wasn't going to be easy. Heck, you told me I was actually going to die - remember?"

"So what? I shouldn't care? I should just chuck this up as a loss and move on. You know, just collateral damage?" Twilight asked angrily.

"No, of course not. I mean, I, I'm upset and sad too. I didn't really know Apple Bloom that well but I do know Apple Jack. She's my friend too. All I'm saying is; you really did all that you could but this isn't going to be easy. More people are probably going to die; possibly me. If you allow yourself to feel guilty, that will destroy you. We need you, I need you. We need you to be strong and focused; not wallowing in grief. I will stand beside you forever; but you have to be standing for me to do that."

Twilight was silent. Flash thought maybe he said the wrong thing and was about to say sorry when she finally replied, "This is why I love you."

The two talked for another couple hours when Twilight was notified she had a text. She quickly looked and saw it was from Sunset. She told Flash she had to go but would call later. She then opened the text.

Twilight, we took Shimmer to Equestria. Met with Princess Celestia. We need to ask Fluttershy something ASAP. Also Sparkle is back with me. Tomorrow, after school, she'll take your place and you'll come with me. I'll explain fully when you call.

This was good news. Good news indeed. Twilight was now fully free to hunt down Chrysalis once and for all. She did wonder though, why and what did they have to ask Fluttershy?