Chapter 32. The final chapter.

Twilight led her friends out of the royal graveyard towards her home, although her castle was broken and in shambles she knew it was the only way to get them home. Rarity and Applejack both chose to remain behind at the Canterlot castle. Pinkie from Equestria chose as well to remain behind as did the Applebloom and Scootaloo. Rainbow headed out front and flew off towards cloudsdale to see if any pony had survived the attack on her home. As Twilight led her two friends to her castle she said to Sunset once she saw her castle coming into view.

“Sunset how are we going to explain Applejack’s death to little Applebloom back in the mirror world. I don’t think anything can or even will be able to fully prepare her for knowing that her sister is never coming home again?” Twilight said to Sunset who remained silent until they made their way up to the castle doors.

Sunset sighed once they had made their way to the castle itself and where standing in front of the broken down doors of the castle. Sunset looked at Twilight saying to her with deep sadness within her eyes.

“I think I had better do that part of my own Twilight. There is little need for you to explain your actions to her sister. Besides I was the one that promised to bring her back alive so therefore it must and should be me that tells Applebloom of her sister's death.” Sunset replied as she walked into the broken down castle.

Pinkie also walked into the castle and looked around then softly sighed to herself as she lowered her head saying to herself as she let out another sigh.

“I can’t believe Applejack is gone. She was my friend this isn’t right we shouldn’t be leaving her here. Applebloom please forgive us.”  

Twilight led her friends to her bed chamber and to the crystal mirror then sighed as she pushed open the broken door leading to her bedroom. Sunset and Pinkie both alike followed Twilight into her bedroom just as Spike popped up from under the bed. Spike seeing that Twilight was back ran up to her hugging her around her knees and legs as Twilight patted him gently on the head she said to him softly.

“Oh, Spike I know you missed me, but, you again must remain here I need you to find some way any way to help rebuild this town and make it liveable for pony kind again.” Twilight said to Spike as Spike hugged her tightly around her legs.

Twilight gently pushed Spike off her then made her way over to the crystal mirror and stepped through it with Sunset and Pinkie following her. As Sunset was about to step through the mirror she quirked an ear up as she heard a loud demonic scream floating on the cold windy air as it blew through the castles broken windows.Thinking it was little more than her imagination playing tricks on her mind she turned to Spike saying to him as she looked down at him.

“Spike take care of Twilight for me she will need you more now than ever in the days to come. Now I must go. Take care of yourself little one.” Sunset said as she looked at Spike who in turn offered her a weak smile in return.

Spike headed out of the bedchamber and down the hallway then out of the castle as he surveyed the broken town he thought to himself.

“I hope Discord can fix this town good as new.”

Spike looked around the broken down town and began to walk it's lonely quiet streets alone. Stopping at the center of the town when he saw Discord appear in front of him with a snap of his fingers the town was halfway rebuilt right in front of Spike’s eyes. Spike rubbed his eyes then looked at Discord who in turn smiled at him then looked towards the direction of Canterlot Castle. Discord felt a surge of chaotic magic a magic he had not felt since he tried to take over Equestria over a thousand years earlier course through his body. With sadness in his eyes he looked down at Spike snapped his fingers again disappearing from sight. Leaving the baby dragon alone in the streets of Ponyville to ponder where the entity of chaos could have gone to. As Discord appeared in front of Canterlot Castle the blacksmith had already made his way inside the castle itself. As the blacksmith entered the castle he wondered around the royal halls of the castle until he found Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle was coming out of a small side door leading up to a balcony high above the castle grounds. Discord while outside of the castle also began to look around for Sweetie Belle until he felt again sensed the same surge as before of pure corrupt magic being used. Lowering his head he thought to himself as the magic got worse and worse.

“I was too late to save her.” Discord thought to himself as he closed his eyes knowing there was nothing he could do to save Sweetie Belle.

The blacksmith walked up to Sweetie Belle saying to her with a foul grin on his face as his horn glowed brightly.

“Sweetie Bell why didn’t you leave with the others when it was time for you to do so?” The blacksmith said with a slight grin on his face.

Sweetie Belle looked at him then down at the ground as she softly replied to him.

“I didn’t want to leave I wanted to show you that I am a good student and a good student never abandons her or his teacher in their hour of need. Now when shall my lessons begin?” Sweetie Belle replied as she looked at his glowing horn becoming mesmerized by it.

Grinning the blacksmith said to her with a wicked hit of intent in his voice while Discord found a window to look through.

“That is good young Sweetie Belle. You have taken your first step to becoming my student I have therefore a test for you to prove yourself worthy of being my student.” The blacksmith said as his horn glowed bright yellow.

Sweetie Belle's body began to glow as she was slowly lifted off the ground she said to the blacksmith with a slight look of confusion on her face. Discord remained outside of the castle looking through the window he had found as he closed his eyes he could hear Sweetie Belle say to the blacksmith while he let a tear slip past his red eyes.  

“Why am I floating in the air?” Sweetie Belle asked the blacksmith who in turn laughed wickedly to her saying to her.

“You are floating in the air because I am giving you my magic Sweetie Belle.” The blacksmith replied wickedly to her as Sweetie Belle felt her own magic overpowering her.

“I don’t feel so well. Wait why do I feel like my magic is overpowering me?” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at the blacksmith who in turn just laughed at her as he said to her.

“That is because it is all apart of your test my little student let me finish what I am doing then you can ask what your actual test is.” The blacksmith said with a slight hint of a hiss in his voice.

Once her body was done glowing and the feeling of her magic overpowering her faded. Sweetie Belle looked at the blacksmith saying to him as he began to lower her back to the ground.

“What is my test? What do you want me to do?”Sweetie Belle asked as her body began to take on a demonic form.

“Your test is this. Find your sister. Then once you have found her I want you to kill her. Once she is dead you will become fully corrupted by my magic and thus you will be my student forever.” Scitalis said as Sweetie Belle’s body filled with his dark magic.

Once Sweetie Belle was safely lowered to floor and her hooves touched the tile flooring beneath her. Sweetie Belle looked down at the tile flooring then back up at the blacksmith. While she looked into his glowing amber eyes she heard within her head six words repeating themselves to her over and over again. Sweetie Belle fell to her knees holding her head with her front hooves as she shook her head back and forth while she heard the voice in her head saying to her as she shook with pain.

’Kill your sister kill for Scitalis’. The voice within her head said over and over again.

Sweetie belle closed her eyes then reopened them as her eyes went from lime green to bright red. Her coat turned from cream white to obsidian black. Scitalis laughed wickedly as Sweetie Belle’s eyes flashed to red in front of him as she looked up at him. Sweetie Belle let out a demonic scream of pain and anger. Discord watched through the window as this happened laying his lion's paw hand over his heart he thought to himself as Sweetie Belle could be heard screaming out in pain.

“I have truly failed her. I have failed my friends that monster has corrupted her fully now.”

Sweetie Belle’s screams were so loud that her screaming caused eight guards to come running into the room that she and Scitalis where in. Seeing the guards approaching her from the right Sweetie Belle screamed out as she used her magic on them turning them each to stone. As the last guard screamed out in pain as his body was encased in stone she said to Scitalis.

“Where is my sister Scitalis? WHERE IS SHE!?!” Sweetie belle screamed out as she rose up to her hooves standing in front of Scitalis.  

“You have taken much of my magic little one. Yet you are not yet fully corrupted Sweetie Belle but, you soon will be. You have done fine work on the guards. If you don’t believe me then look for yourself and drink in all that you have done. Once your training is complete you will make a fine demon. But alas for now you must find your sister and kill her to fully bring yourself to my teachings.” Scitalis said to Sweetie Belle who looked to her right as she stared at what she had just done.

Sweetie Belle looked at all eight guards she had just turned to stone and laughed as her new power fully began to corrupt her. As she laughed Sweetie Belle used her magic again on the helpless guards striking each one in turn with her magic. Shattering each of the guards into nothing more than dust just as the last one was about to crumble into dust as the other seven had done Scitalis laughed as well. Once Sweetie Belle was done shattering each of the guards bodies into dust she stepped towards Scitalis saying to him as she looked at him with anger in her eyes.

“I thought of a wonderful gift for my sister Scitalis. Would you like to know what it is?” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at Scitalis who in turn just flashed her a wicked smirk.

“I would love to hear what your gift to your sister is Sweetie Belle or should I call you something else now?” Scitails replied wickedly to Sweetie Belle who laughed coldly back to him.  

Sweetie Belle cocked her head to the left saying to Scitalis wickedly as he looked at her then over to the dead guards.

“Shall I give her despair my teacher? Shall I give her pain?” Sweetie Belle asked Scitalis as he returned his gaze to her with a raised eyebrow.

Scitalis also cocked his head to the right saying to her not noticing her horn was still glowing.

“Sweetie belle your sister is….” Scitalis was unable to finish his sentence as Sweetie Belle launched a blue energy bolt at him striking him in the chest.

Sweetie Belle laughed wickedly as she smiled watching Scitalis shack himself from the impact of her attack on him. Sweetie Belle’s back grew a set of black and red bat like wings. And her mane turned white with green tint in it saying to Scitalis as she looked at him with absolute evil in her eyes.

“No longer am I that useless little whining pathetic pony Sweetie Belle, you call me Sweet Surgat for now on! I will have your power Scitalis I will have all of your power!” Sweetie Belle said as she let loose another energy bolt towards Scitalis hitting him in the chest again.

Looking down at his smoldering chest Scitalis after he had been knocked back several feet he said as he looked back up into Sweetie Belle's eyes. Seeing with glee in his own eyes that Sweetie Belle's eyes were now completely without life and devoid of compassion. Smiling he said to her with a hint of lustful anger in his voice.  

“Perhaps I have given you too much power little one very well if it is a fight you want then a fight you shall have.” Scitalis said as he launched his own attack on her knocking Sweetie belle back several feet.

Sweetie Belle took the shot from Scitalis magic then laughed as she cocked her head to the right saying to him.

“Enough of this useless prattle it is not you that I want I want my SISTER!” Sweet Surgot said as she launched one last attack at Scitalis hitting him in the face knocking him to the ground.

Scitalis stood up then dusted himself off laughing wickedly at Sweet Belle saying to her as the last of his wounds healed in front of her.

“Good young one you have shown that you are willing to take more than what is freely given to you. This alone proves that you are indeed willing to follow my teachings. Now go to the royal court yard there you will find your sister. Kill her and complete your corruption into becoming my student. Once this is done come back here and I will take you with me to Tartarus. There we will meet another who I have corrupted and thus with you both as my students I will have my vengeance on Twilight for what she took from me.” Scitalis said as he transformed into a serpent like form in front of the corrupted Sweetie Belle who laughed as she turned to walk away from him.

Discord realizing where Sweetie Belle was going snapped his fingers and disappeared from the window he had been using to watch this event unfold in front of him. A few seconds latter Discord reappeared outside in the royal courtyard just before Sweetie Belle left the room that she and Scitalis where in. Sweetie Belle stopped in the entryway leading down towards the castle royal court yard saying as she looked back over her shoulder to Scitails.

“Once my sister is dead I will come back to you and you had pony tails better complete my training! I want nothing more than power and the means to rule with that power.” Sweet Surgat  said as she laughed wickedly as she turned her gaze back towards the royal courtyard.

Twenty minutes later Sweetie Belle now as the demon Sweet Surgat found herself standing outside into the courtyard. Sweet Surgat found her sister standing next to Applejack as they both talked with several guards about various topics nether noticed Rarity's sister coming down the steps towards them with her horn glowing bright red. Just as Sweet Surgat was about to launch her attack on her sister Discord looked down at her then thought to himself as he raised his clawed hand above his head.

“Forgive me little Sweetie Belle for my failure to save you.” Discord thought as he looked at the corrupted Sweetie Belle who in turn smiled wickedly back at him.

Discord snapped his fingers causing Rarity and Applejack to disappear then reappear in ponyville. With a shocked look on their faces each of them looked around then saw Discord appear in front of them handing Rarity a note as he snapped his fingers again finishing his work on ponyville he disappeared again. Rarity used her magic to levitate the note in front of her and read outloud.

“My friends I am sorry that I can not stay and help with what is going on in Equestria but there is a battle being fought in Tartarus. Rarity your little sister has become…..”

Rarity reading the rest of the sentence in silicene dropped to her knees and began to cry.  

Applejack seeing that her friend was unable to finish the letter that Discord left for the two of them looked it over and finished reading it outloud as Rarity cried.

“Has become corrupted and turned into a demon calling herself now Sweet Surgat. Therefore you Rarity must keep yourself away from her until Twilight can heal her with the elements of Friendship. Twilight must go on a journey within Tartarus to find Amora and either help her or destroy her. Amora is the only one that can help Twilight’s mare friend from the mirror word now. Either she helps save the mirror worlds Applejack or she will be destroyed.  Applejack of Equestria I leave the rest of the building of Ponyville to you and your family. On the back of this note you will find the proper measurements for your human counterparts statue. I would have fully built it myself but, I feel that my place is to keep Rarity's little sister as far away from Rarity as I can. A new evil has come to Equestria and as such has thrown things out of balance. I take my leave of you and your friends now. Please note that your little sister Rarity will NOT remain as a slave to that monster Scitalis for long this I promise you. Also make sure that Rainbow goes with Twilight when she goes to Tartarus. The queen can explain further if you need her to do so.

Sincerely.

Reformed villain Discord”

Applejack finished the letter as was about to comfort her friend when a loud thunderous crack and demonic scream was heard off in the distance. Applejack looked in the direction of the royal burial grounds and swallowed hard. Spike came running up to them holding a letter which Applejack took from him. Reading out loud as Rarity cried with her face buried in her hooves she read.

“My dear subjects Applejack and Rarity please use this spell to transport yourselfs to Applejack's tomb from there you must report back to me what you find. The spell given to Rarity is powerful enough to let her teleport this one single time. I know that none of you have any reason to trust me or to follow me but, I am fully pleading with both of you to do this one single act of valor for me. Please go to the tomb where the human counterpart to Equestrias Applejack is buried and bring Spike with you. Make sure he writes down everything you tell him. From there have him send me the report and I will take it from there.

Sincerely.

Queen,

Celestial Sparkle.”

Rarity dried her tears then stood up and said to both Applejack and to Spike.

“Spike get a quill and paper Applejack I have never done this before but, I have to try if it means saving my little sister.” Rarity said as she stepped towards Applejack who in turn nodded to her.

Spike ran inside the castle then came back a few minutes latter with a Quill and paper ready for use. Rarity stood next to Applejack as Applejack picked up Spike placing him on her back while Rarity used her magic to activate the spell. Within a few moments all three found themselves in front of the mirror worlds tomb of Applejack. To their horror they saw that the tomb door had been cleaved away and was lying several feet from the tomb itself shattered in two. Looking closely at the ground they all three saw footsteps burned into the ground leading away from the tomb. Following the footsteps the three came upon a burned line in the ground. Rarity looking back from where they all stood said to her friends as she laid a hoof over her mouth in shock and disgust as to what her mind was telling her yet she dared not believe it.

“Darlings I think the Applejack from the mirror world did this. And it looks like she was buried alive.” Rarity said as she stared at the broken pieces of stone slab that made up the door to the mirror worlds Applejacks tomb.

“Yeah how do you figure that Rarity anything could have done this ya know?” Applejack said to her as she started to walk towards the tomb itself.

“Uh where are you going darling?” Replied Rarity as she looked at Applejack and watched her getting closer to the tomb.

“I’m a, going inside that there tomb to see if the Applejack from the mirror world was indeed the one that did this.” Applejack said to Rarity as she stepped closer to the tomb.

A gust of cold icy wind blew up stopping Applejack in her tracks looking back at her two friends Applejack gulped then said to both Spike and Rarity as Spike jotted down what he saw.

“Ya’ll know what I think I am just going to uh, let Twilight be the one to go down there instead.” Applejack said as she stepped back from the tomb.

Spike finishing the letter he was writing held it in his hand then blew green flames onto it sending it to the queen. Another gust of wind blew and Applejack backed away from the tomb retreating to the safety and side of her friends Rarity and Spike. Each of them looked at each other then nodded as they all headed away from the tomb. Discord in the meantime had teleported back to the castle where he found Sweetie Belle and Scitalis stepping through a portal leading to Tartarus. Trying to get to Sweetie Belle before she was able to fully step through the portal. Discord stopped in his tracks when the corrupted Sweetie Belle suddenly turned to face him launching a red energy bolt right at his face. Unable to get out of the way in time the energy bolt hit Discord in the face sending him sprawling to the ground. Scitalis said to the lord of chaos as Discord was lying on his back looking up at him.

“You may have prevented me from fully corrupting her by teleporting her sister and her little friend out of harm's way Discord. But, I will find another way to complete my task. She will remain as Sweet Surgat for now on. Oh, when Twilight returns send her to her mare friends tomb that alone should cause her to want to come after me. For now I shall leave you with this. Sweetie Belle is mine and there is nothing you can do about it.” Scitalis said while laughing as he and Sweetie Belle stepped through the portal.

With the portal closing behind him Discord snapped his fingers causing a light blue circle to appear on Sweetie Belle's left back leg. As Discord got up from the ground he smiled to himself as he said to himself once the portal to Tartarus was fully closed behind Scitalis and his student Sweet Surgat.

“Take her if you must you fool, Twilight will find away to fix this.That blue circle will lead Twilight right too you I don’t want to be in your place when she gets done with you.” Discord thought to himself as he got up off the ground.

Discord snapped his fingers disappearing then reappearing in front of Applejack, Rarity  and Spike. Snapping his fingers again he brought all three of them back to Twilight's castle. As Twilight, Pinkie and Sunset emerged from the statue in front of CHS they were all generally surprised to see Principal Celestia and Red standing in front of the school. Sunset stepped forward saying to Principal Celestia who looked at her with kindness in her eyes.

“Why are you two here I didn’t call either of you before I left for Equestria and I am sure that Pinkie didn’t either?” Sunset said as she looked into her principal's eyes.

“I got a call from Rarity saying that your mother was in griffin gorge I called Red who picked me up and together we got her out of there. She is back at Sweet Apple Arcs awaiting news on your visit to Equestria. Tell us Sunset what happened and why is Applejack not with you. According to Rarity she left shortly before you did.” Principal Celestia said as she looked into Sunsets teal colored eyes.  

Sunset looked away from Principal Celestia as she said to her with tears running down her cheeks.

“We won the war but, paid a heavy price for our victory. One that I must answer for when I get back to Sweet Apple Arcs. Can one of you please if you can find it in your hearts grant me a ride there?” Sunset said as she looked at Red and Principal Celestia.  

“I see so Applejack has….passed on then?” Principal Celestia asked as she laid a gentle hand onto Sunsets shoulder.

Sniffing hard as she raised a hand to her face to dry her tears Sunset said as she swallowed hard.

“Yes Applejack has passed away. She was killed in battle and died defending a land that I can no longer in good conscience or in good faith call home. Our….er….the princess version of you caused the war and admitted to using me as a weapon in that war. I hate her for it!” Sunset said as she felt herself being pulled into a loving embrace by her principal.

Celestia hugged Sunset tightly in her arms and Susnet accepted the warmth and kind gesture by wrapping her arms around Principal Celestia’s waist. As the two of the hugged each other Red said to Sunset gently as she laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“We will give you three a ride to Applejack’s home.” Red sid to Sunset with kindness showing in her voice.

As Sunset ended the hug she got from Principal Celestia she,Twilight and Pinkie all headed over to Red's car as Celestia said to Red while watching them go.

“Thank you for helping Sunsets mother I am sure she appreciates it. Now we need to get these three to Applejack's home so that Sunset can talk with Applebloom. Then we should take Sunset to her new home. Is everything in place I want to make sure they don’t have to pay for a single thing I don’t want either of them worrying about bills, food or the need to furnish the house.” Principal Celestia said as she looked onward watching Sunset as she and Pinkie and Twilight all climbed into Reds car.

“Yes everything is set all those two have to do now is simply take the keys to their new home from me and that will be that. I have spoken to the judge in this matter before I picked you up Tia. Neither Sunset or her mother will have to go to court to adopt her daughter through legal channels it has all be taken care of. All they must do from here on out is simply live their lives as they see fit. Oh, before I go you should know that if Sunset wants to marry Pinkie when her time here at CHS is over that is fine with the judge he has given me a marriage license for those two to sign.” Red said as she started to walk towards her car but, stopped when Celestia said to her.

“Wait you told the judge that those two wanted to get married?” Celestia said with a bit of shock in her voice.

Red turned around smiling to Celestia as she said while raising and lowering her shoulders in a shrugging motion.

“Yeah what of it Tia if those two want to get married they shouldn’t have to go to court for it. Just the same as you and I shouldn’t have too. I did this for you and for me as well as for them I feel that having to go to court for marriage is both stupid and a waste of time.” Red said as Celestia reached out and grabbed her by her right arm.

Celestia spun Red around so that the two of them were completely facing each other before Red could say anything Celestia pulled Red into her pressing her lips against Red’s. As Red completely melted into Celestia’s kiss a loud woohoo was heard coming from Red’s car. Both Celestia and Red ended the passionate kiss that Celestia had given Red and looked towards the car. Red and Celestia seeing that Pinkie was jumping up and down pumping her fist in the air both broke out laughing. As Sunset was facepalming herself and Twilight had a slight smirk on her face Red said to Celestia as she took her by the hand and walked her over to her car.

“Okay I think it might be a good idea to tell them Tia before that one really does toss us a ‘coming out party’ which is something I think we can both avoid.” Red said as she held Celestia by her hand.

Principal Celestia smiled warmly to Red then looked at the three girls as she said to each of them while letting out a soft sigh.

“Red and I have been well dating for a few months now, I just didn’t feel right about telling anyone about it. Pinkie I swear if you throw us a party of ANY type I will make your time here at CHS a living hell got it?” Celestia said as Red let go of her hand and walked over to the driver's side car door.

Both she and Celestia climbed into the car along with the three others Red started the car up and pulled out of the school's driveway headed for Sweet Apple Arcs.Twenty five minutes later Sunset, Pinkie and Twilight with Celestia and Red standing behind them looked up at the farmhouse that Applejack once called home. Walking up to the house Sunset knocked on the door and waited patiently for Applebloom to answer. A few minutes latter Sweetie Belle answered the door and stepped to the side allowing Sunset and the rest of the group to come inside the house. As Sunset, Pinkie Pie, Principal Celestia and the rest of their friends entered the house Applebloom could be heard thumping towards the steps leading down into the foyer entry way. As she got to the first step Sunset looked up at her saying to her gently.

“Applebloom we….I….need to talk to you.” Sunset said to Applebloom as she noticed Applebloom’s lower lip quiver a bit.

Applebloom seeing that her sister was not with her friends turned a bolted back up the stairs with Sunset following her. As Applebloom got to her bedroom door she threw it up banging it loudly against the wall. Throwing herself upon her bed she began to cry as Sunset came into her room she saw Applebloom crying in her bed. Gently walking over to Applebloom she sat on the edge of her bed as Applebloom wailed out in anger and pain.

“Why Sunset why did my sister have to go to war for your stupid country? Why did she have to fight for you. It should have been you not her she should have been the one to live. Why did it have to be her?” Applebloom cried out into her pillow.

“I don’t know why she had to die Applebloom. I don’t even know fully as to what actually made her want to go to Equestria and fight for Twilight or for me. I know she was in love with Twilight she….told me this before she well before she died. If it is any comfort to you at all Applebloom your sister died a hero and she died with honor.” Sunset said as Applebloom slowly sat up to face her.

With tears running down her cheeks Applebloom tried to slap Sunset only to miss and fall into Sunsets lap. Sunset took a hold of Applebloom and held her tightly in her arms while Applebloom screamed out her rage into Sunsets shoulders.

“Damn you Sunset I don’t care that my sister died with honor or that she loved that...that horse Twilight I just want my sister home. I want her to be here with me not dead in some place that I can’t go to.” Applebloom screamed angrily as she was held tightly by Sunset.

“I know Applebloom I know, I too want her to be home safe holding you as I am now doing so. I know you want your sister to be here. But, she is gone and there is nothing we can do about this. I came here to tell you that she loved you very much.” Sunset said as she ran her fingers through Applebloom’s hair soothing the crying girl.

“If there is really a god out there as my sister believed in then he is a cruel bastard. I miss her I want her home with me right now. I hate you Sunset I hate that Applejack had to be friends with you that you and that horse Twilight had to bring her to a war that she had no business in.”

“Ok you stop right there little Applebloom. First Twilight is not a horse she is a pony princess and second I and Twilight didn’t bring Applejack to our world and let her fight in that war. In fact if you remember I went back there against my better judgement I might add to bring your sister home. So don’t you dare go off saying that your sister was brought there by either myself or Twilight. I know you are in pain Applebloom I know what you are feeling right now.” Sunset said as she gently hugged Applebloom in her arms.

“How could you possibly know what it is like to lose a sister you never lost a sister before.” Applebloom said as she ended the hug that Sunset gave her and looked into her teal colored eyes.

Sunset looked down to the floor then turned away from Applebloom as she said with her own tears beginning to flow down her cheeks.

“That is where you are so very wrong Applebloom. I have lost a sister in fact I lost my whole damn family I lost everything that I ever cared about. Every one that I loved expect the woman that took me in and raised me as her own daughter is all I have left.” Sunset said as she slowly stood up from the bed leaving Applebloom on her bed with a confused look on her face.

“What do you mean you lost your whole family Sunset I don’t understand.” Applebloom said as she dried her tears.

“It was when I first found out about my powers about what type of power I had. I got angry with my sister because she broke a toy that I liked so I lost it. My power erupted from my horn and that was that. I….I vaporized my own sister. She burned to death right in front of me. My mother and father took me to Canterlot city the next day and left me to die on the streets calling me ‘Daemon natus est’ meaning ‘demon born’. You see Applebloom to them I was nothing more than a demon something worthy of being killed off. A few days after they left me to die on the streets of Canterlot City I found my way home and again lost my temper only this time I caused the whole house to go up in flames killing both of my parents. Several days after I had found my way back to the city Celestia found me and took me to be raised by Rose Cherry. I was eating out of a trash can when Celestia found me I couldn't get any bits or what you call money for food. I would be raised by Rose Cherry until I was old enough to go to school. Celestia took me from her and the rest is as they say history. So don’t go telling me I don’t know what you are going through Applebloom I know all too well the hurt and anger you feel.” Sunset said as she began to dry her own tears but, stopped when she felt two arms wrap around her waist.

Looking down she saw that Applebloom was holding her by her waist sobbing into her stomach Sunset knelt down and pulled Applebloom into her shoulder patting her gently on the back. As Applebloom cried into Sunsets shoulder she said to her through her sobs.

“I am so sorry Sunset for all the pain that you have gone through I am so sorry for all the hurt that I have caused you with the Anon-a-miss website. Please I beg you to forgive me. I didn't know what you were going through I swear it. I miss my sister so much I never wanted her to go to war I never wanted you to lose her as your friend. Please can you forgive me for this.” Applebloom said as she cried into Sunsets shoulder.

Pushing the crying girl away from her for a moment Sunset looked into her amber colored eyes as she said to her gently.

“I forgive you Applebloom. I know you are hurting right now. I know what it is like to try to make the pain go away although it will not go away entirely it will get better over time. When you are ready and you are filling up to it I would like to perform the sisters bonding ritual with you thus making you my honorary sister. We would share each others laughter and sorrow I would and WILL do all that I can to help you through this.” Sunset said as she Applebloom suddenly reached out and grab her around her neck hugging her tightly.

“Thank you for forgiving me for what I put you through. I would like to become your sister too but, I need time to heal from this.” Applebloom said as she buried her face into Sunsets shoulder letting the last of her tears fall into Sunsets shirt.

“I understand will you let me help you into bed so that you can get a good night's rest then in the morning we can say goodbye to your sister properly.” Sunset said as Applebloom let go of her saying to her in reply.

“Thank you Sunset do you know how we uh, humans say goodbye to those that we loved?” Applebloom said as Sunset led her to her bed and helped her climb into it.

“Not really but, I am willing to stand by your side if you are willing to have me there.” Sunset said as she tucked Applebloom in then sat down on the floor next to her bed and looked up into Applebloom's eyes.

“Yes I am more than willing to have you there besides I think Applejack would want it that way. We will have to get a tombstone and place it out by big sherman. Uh a really big tree that is located on the east side of the orchard.” Applebloom said as she yawed then laid her head down onto her pillow.

Sunset smiled gently as she slowly got up off the floor then walked over to door turning back when Applebloom said to her.

“Sunset?” Applebloom called out to her.

“Yes?” Replied Sunset as she turned back to face Applebloom.

“Will you be here in the morning when I wake up.” Applebloom said as she began to drift off to sleep.

“I will be here for your sisters funeral but, I will not be here in the morning.” Sunset replied softly.

"Oh, alright I guess that will have to do then." Applebloom said as she yawned then laid her head onto her pillow falling asleep.

Sunset seeing that Applebloom had fallen asleep she tip toed out of Applebloom’s room as quietly as she could then quietly headed down stairs. As she got to the last step she saw that Rarity, Rainbow Dash and the last two crusaders as well as Rose Cherry were all waiting for her in the living room. Sighing she headed into the living room saying to Rarity, Rainbow and the last to crusaders as they all looked at her with sadness in their eyes.

“Before any of you say anything yes it is true Applejack of this world is gone there is nothing that can bring her back. No I will not use a time scroll Rainbow Dash so don’t even think of asking me about that. Rarity you need to stay here with the kids I really don’t want them to see where I have been living or what I am trying to uh, keep from them.” Sunset said as she rubbed her hands together as if she was trying to rub away some hidden physical pain she was in.

Rainbow raised a eyebrow to this but, did little much else. Rarity looked from the two crusaders then to Sunset and nodded to her. Pinkie and Twilight both headed into the living room when they both heard Sunset say this as they were both in the kitchen. Principal Celestia and Red headed back inside as they had been outside talking to each other on the front porch with the front door open. Fluttershy sat on the couch with her head hung low as she said meekly to everyone present.

“If it is alright with you Sunset I would like to stay here as well I really don’t want to see how a good friend of mine has had to live for the past three years. Besides if Applebloom should wake up then I might be able to coach her back to sleep at least until you all get back here that is.” Fluttershy said as she looked at everyone who all in turn looked at her with kindness in their eyes.

“Alright then with a show of raised hands who all is going to go with me to my uh, place then?” Sunset said as she looked at everyone in front of her.

Rainbow raised her hand, Rarity also raised a hand as did Twilight and Pinkie. Celestia and Red also raised their hands. Rose Cherry put her hand up then put it back down as she stood up from her chair saying to Sunset.

“I too will be staying here Sunset, I really don’t want to blow a magic candle out at how I am sure you have been living these past few years without me by your side. Perhaps if I had been there you wouldn’t have had to go through all that you have gone through.” Rose Cherry said as she looked at her daughter who in turn smiled weakly to her.  

“Alright mom I understand fully. Alright everyone that is going with me to my uh, place please head out side so we can get going.” Sunset said as she looked at everyone in the living room.

Rainbow, Twilight, Rarity, Red, Pinkie and Celestia all headed outside with Sunset following close behind them. Getting to Red’s car they all soon came to the stark realization that not everyone was going to fit in the little car that sat before them. Just as Red was about to say something Luna pulled up in her minivan and hopped out saying to everyone standing in front of Red’s little car.

“I got a call my sister before she called you Red I am sorry I didn’t get here any sooner than now. I had somethings to take care of back in town. Anyways I can assume you all are about to go to Sunset’s…. er....uh, home right.” Luna said as she looked at everyone.

“Yes that is right Sunny is showing us where she has been living for the past few years.” Pinkie said excitedly as she bounced up and down.  

“Pinkie calm down honey it’s not like we are going to a grand ten star hotel or something like that.” Sunset said as she placed a hand on to Pinkie's shoulder trying to calm her girl friend down.

As Pinkie stopped her bouncing everyone climbed into Luna’s Minivan, expect Red and Celestia who both got into Red’s car and pulled out of the driveway. Luna got back in looked to make sure everyone was buckled in safely then turned the van back on and began to follow Red’s car. An hour and half later the two vehicles pulled up to the abandoned gas station that Sunset called home. Rarity looking at the worn down dilapidated building said to Sunset as she tried to act lady like to her friend.

“Darling this…..uh, place is where you have been living?” Rarity said as Sunset shot her a look that clearly said ‘not one more word’.

“Yes Rarity and everyone this is where I have been living now if you all will follow me I can show you around but, please watch your step the floor is a bit weak in certain areas. I don’t need or want any of you getting hurt.” Sunset replied as she led everyone inside her home.

Getting inside Celestia looked around as she said to Sunset as she looked at her with kindness in her eyes.

“You know Sunset I have already been here before. I found your journal lying next to the door way. I want you to know that while I still have it I didn’t read all of it only a few pages and only one page to the student body. I know you are more than a little upset with me about that and I fully understand that. I just wanted to show them what you have gone through and why I wanted to expel the crusaders fro what they did to you.”

Sunset sighed heavily as she said while placing a hand to her forehead and rubbing her forehead tenderly.

“I understand Principal Celestia I am not all that angry with you over you reading my journal it was bound to happen sooner or latter. I hope that you can understand why I have trust issues and why I went all nuts at the Fall Formal.” Sunset said as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Looking up she saw Celestia smile to her as she said softly to her.

“I do fully understand although what I can not at all accept is the cutting that you have been doing to yourself. So there for once you and your mother are fully settled in your new home I will talk with Red and see about getting you a therapist that can help you deal with your feelings so that you don’t do this to yourself again. We all love you very much Sunset and we all want you to be healthy that is what friends are for. I know right now with all that you have seen and done it may not seem like that to you right now. But, I will for the most part try to be there for you both as your principal and as your friend.” Celestia said as she looked into Sunset’s teal colored eyes.

“I would like that I think having someone there to talk too about how I feel might actually help me. Although I really am not to crazy about the idea though I will at least try it for a few months and see how it goes. Who knows maybe I will become a better person for it.” Sunset said with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Celestia smiled warmly then looked around and saw a wall that she had not seen on her first visit to Sunsets home. Walking up the the wall she could see clearly that there were two sets of chains drilled into the wall itself. A metal bar was also placed onto the wall the chains had padlocks on the ends of them the wall itself was riddled with deep gouges and slash marks as if a wild animal had been trying to break free of the restraints. As Celestia walked over to it she heard Sunset say from behind her as she picked up one of the chains and gave it a light tug.

“I was so hoping you would not find that.” Sunset said as she came up behind Celestia who looked from her then to the wall and back again.

“Uh so what happened here I mean it looks like a wild animal did this.” Celestia said with a slight confused look on her face.

“I happened. This is what happens when you take a person that is possessed by a demon and you give that person nightmares. Or as Amora called it training. You see each night before I finally told her off in the girls bathroom at CHS. I would chain myself up then allow Amora to take over as I was placed into Tartarus for training. That type of training cost me more than just a few broken nails and sore fingers it cost me hours of restful peaceful sleep as well. This is what I didn’t want the kids to see Celestia I didn’t want them to see just how bad things really were for me. Every Time Amora took over me she tried again and again to get out but, to my amazement the chains held her fast. I am absolutely certain that if she had gotten out she would have killed someone so that is why I chained myself up at night. As I grew more and more into my friendships with the girls I learned that I didn’t need or want Amora’s training so I simply told her off one day and well she didn’t take it very well. As you can see by the wall itself.” Sunset said as she pointed to the wall.

Celestia looked closer at it and saw twelve deep gouges in the brick that made up the wall itself that looked like Sunset had used a knife on the wall. Looking back at Sunset Celestia let go of the chain and took her into her arms hugging her warmly as she said to her.

“I swear to you I will do whatever it takes to help you get through this. You will never suffer from that monster's rage again.” Celestia said as she hugged Sunset in her arms.

“Thank you Celestia but, you needn't worry about that harpy coming back I have been fully separated from her and I am through with Equestria. When I place the ring onto Pinkie's hand on the day of our marriage uh, that is if she still wants to marry one as messed up as I am my life in Equestria ends once and for all and my new life here begins fully. I will never again set one foot onto the soil of my birth I can’t forgive the Celestia of Equestria for what she did to me nor can I live in home that no longer has any meaning for me. I want to live here well not here as in this building that you and I are in but, you know here in this world forever.”  Sunset said as she ended the warm embrace from Celestia.

Pinkie came up behind Sunset and wrapped her arms around her stomach saying to her as she whispered into her ear.

“If you think that your few mental health issues are going to frighten me away from your side Sunny I am sorry to say it won’t work. I plan to not only wed you but, to keep you healthy in both mind and body as well. I love you Sunset I will always love you and I will marry you regardless of your state of mind.” Pinkie said as she and Sunset both heard Rarity screamed out in shock.

“What the hell!?! SUNSET YOU DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT RATS LIVING HERE WITH YOU!?!” Rarity said as she could be seen climbing over crates to get away from the furry little rodent.  

Sunset and Pinkie as well as Celestia all broke out laughing Rarity sat on a several stacked wooden crates waving her hand wildly at the offending rodent saying to it as it squeaked at her.

“Shoo you disgusting little vermin! Go on now!, Go find your own kind to play with you filth little beast.” Rarity said as she looked at the brown rat and it back up at her wiggling its little nose at her.

“Ok guys I think you all have see more than enough to know how I have been living for the past three years. It is getting late and I for one want to get some sleep. So Rarity you hop down from there and then we can all get going.” Sunset said as she looked at Rarity who in turn twitched an eyelid at her as she looked from Sunset then to the rat that was still in front of the crates.

Seeing Rarity's reaction to Sunset Rainbow threw up her arms as she walked over to Rarity then turned around saying to her with her back facing Rarity.

“Alright you big scaredy cat get on then. Sheesh I can’t believe you are scared of a silly little rat.” Rainbow said as she felt Rarity climbing onto her back almost knocking her and Rainbow to the ground as she did so.

“That RAT darling is not little why it has to be at least ten feet high and weigh at least six hundred pounds. I swear Rainbow it wants to do nothing more than eat me.” Rarity exclaimed as she struggled to hang onto Rainbow as she walked Rarity outside of gas station.

Once Rainbow got Rarity off of her and outside she said to Rarity who looked at her with a sheepish grin on her face.

“Alright now that you are outside and away from ratzilla how about we see if Red can help the Apple family pay for Applejack’s tombstone.” Rainbow said as Red and the rest of the group all headed outside with Sunset in tow.

Sunset stopped for a brief second turned and took one last look at the gas station then closed her eyes as she said.

“I can’t believe I won’t be coming back here again. I can’t believe I actually have a home and someone that loves me.” Sunset said as Pinkie came up to her and took her by her hand.

Opening her eyes Sunset smiled as she and Pinkie both walked hand in hand in silence to the van. Getting in Luna nodded to them then turned her gaze to the front window of her van as she watched Rarity and Rainbow both approaching Red and Celestia.

“Red I was kinda well hoping you would be well that is willing to see if there is some way to help the Apple family pay for a tombstone for Applejack. I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want to I am sure we can use some sort of bolder from Pinkie's Pies families rock quarry if we need to that is.” Rainbow said to Red as she looked down at the ground then back up at her as Red said to her gently.

“Of course I can help with that. Besides the Apple family has done quite a bit for Canterlot City. Back during the second war their farm helped to feed many of the troops going overseas. And the government does buy many of the produce produced on their farm. So it would only be fitting if I help to pay for something like this. Now when will they need it Ms. Dash?” Red said as Rainbow gulped then replied to her.

“Uh, is tomorrow too soon?” Rainbow said as she slightly smirked to Red who in turn looked at her with a frown on her face.

“That soon huh? Well it might be a bit small but I am sure I can get the stone to the Apple family home by two o’clock in the afternoon.” Red replied as Rarity and Rainbow both smiled to her then turned and headed towards Luna’s van.

Red took out her phone opened it up then dialed a number. Placing the phone next to her ear she said into into it once the other end was picked up and a slight raspy voice could be heard over the other end of the phone.

“Hey it’s me, listen I know this is short notice and all but, I need a stone made for the….wait, what do you mean you already have the tombstone carved and ready to go. Well who made the call….I see alright then it needs to be….oh uh, okay so it is already there then. How was it paid for if I may ask? I see very well I will take care of the rest then thank you goodbye.” Red hung up her phone then looked at Celestia who in turn had a puzzled look on her face.

“Uh, what happen if I may ask?” Celestia said as she and Red walked back to her car.

“Well it appears that Applejacks grandmother made the call to my friend whom I just spoke to and paid in advance to have a stone cut and delivered to their home today. The stone should be there when we get back. But what is troubling me is this. It would seem as if Granny Smith had some sort of pre-gotten knowledge that her granddaughter wasn’t coming home again. How that is even possible is beyond my understanding Tia.” Red said as she got into her car then started it up with Celestia getting in as well.

The small group pulled out of the gas station and headed back to Sweet Apple Arcs. The next day Sunset found herself sitting in her new bedroom with Pinkie sitting next to her on her new bed. Both looked at each other as each of them were dressed in all black. Sunset turned her gaze away from Pinkie for a few seconds and towards her bedroom window. As she tried to think of something to say to her girlfriend a soft knock was heard at her door. Pinkie got up opened the door and let Rose into Sunsets room Sunset sighed deeply as she turned to face both Pinkie and Rose saying to both of them.

“Thank you mom for allowing Pinkie to spend the night last night. Pinkie we should head down stairs now and wait for Celestia to pick us up. I was wondering Pinkie after school is over tomorrow would you be willing to go with me to my therapy session? I am a little scared of going by myself it would mean a lot to me if you were there with me.” Sunset said as she looked at her mother and at Pinkie who smiled warmly to her.

“Of course I will go with you honey. Oh, by the way next time we sleep together I am going to do more to than just make sure you fully enjoy yourself.” Pinkie said as watched Sunset’s face turn beat red.

“PINKIE! Please let's not talk about stuff like that in front of my mother.” Sunset exclaimed as Rose let out a soft chuckle saying to Sunset as she sat down on her daughter's bed.

“Now Sunset I am much too old to care about what you do with the one that you love. I know you are old enough both in body and in mind to take care of yourself. However I do agree with you such topics should more than likely be left for you two talk in a more uh, private setting. Now you two need to get your butts down stairs and finish getting ready.” Rose Cherry said as she looked from Pinkie then to Sunset who blushed and headed for the door.

A few minutes latter Celestia pulled up to house and honked the horn prompting both Sunset and Pinkie to head down stairs get their coats on and head out the front door. Getting outside the air was cool and crisp the sun shown brightly even though it was still winter. Celestia got out of her car walked over to the side door of the passenger door and opened it for Sunset and Pinkie to get in. Pushing the seat forward Pinkie climbed into the back of the car with Sunset getting into the front of it. Once the two of them were safely inside the vehicle Celestia walked up to Rose Cherry saying to her as she and Rose both stood on the front step of her new home.

“I am glad to see that Sunset is taking to her new home Rose, tell me did how have you taken to it?” Celestia said as she looked at Rose and Rose smiled warmly back.

“Oh, you know I am taking it one day at a time now I understand that my daughter will be seeing her therapist after school tomorrow correct?” Rose said as she and Celestia both stood outside on the front step with Sunset and Pinkie both watching them from Celestia's car.

“Yes I made sure she will be seen by the same person that saw my sister when she had her um, issues. Flower Candy will be a good match for Sunset and I am sure she will also want to meet Pinkie as well uh, that is if you are willing to allow that Rose.” Celestia said with a slightly raised eyebrow to Rose.

“That is up to Sunset to make that choice my daughter is old enough to make those type of choices on her own. Will you be the one taking her to her therapy after school or should I try to have her find somepony else take her?” Rose said as she she looked at Celestia who had a slight smirk on her face.

“No I will not be taking Sunset to her first appointment Red will do that. By the time I get out of work and get done with all the paperwork that I need to fill to finish the expulsion of the crusaders from CHS it will be well after five in the evening. So due to this I called Red before coming over here and asked if she would be willing to take Sunset with her to her first appointment I hope that was not out of line for me to make that call on Sunsets behalf?” Celestia said to Rose as she stepped off the front step leading towards the house’s front door.

Rose smiled warmly to Celestia saying to her gently.

“No my dear it was nowhere near out of line for you to do this for me or for Sunset. Now you should get going you don’t want to make the Apple family wait now do you?” Rose Cherry said as she opened the door to her home and then nodded to Celestia who in turn nodded back to her.

Heading back to the car Celestia got in then looked at Sunset saying to her gently.

“Red will pick you up at 3:30 after school to take you to your first appointment with Flower Candy. She is a very trusted and very well renowned therapist and I am very certain that she can help you Sunset. If you like I can call Red today and Flower Candy as well and let them know that Pinkie will also be going with you that is if you want her to be with you.” Celestia said as she started up the car.

Sunset nodded to her then let out a soft sigh laying her head on the passenger side window thinking to herself as Celestia pulled out of the drive way. Twenty minutes latter the three were in front of Sweet Apple Arcs getting out of the car Sunset held the seat forward so Pinkie could climb out. Once she and Celestia were out of Celestia’s car they headed up to the house.Getting inside the house they found Big MacIntosh, Granny Smith and Applebloom as well the rest of their friends gathered in the living room. Applebloom walked over to Sunset taking her by her right hand and led her to living room Pinkie and Celestia also headed into the living room. Applebloom looked up at Sunset saying to her as she held her hand in her own.

“Thank you for coming for this Sunset it really does mean a lot to me to have you here.” Applebloom said to Sunset who knelt down and hugged her gently in her arms.

“Your welcome Applebloom I will not leave you I will do all that I can to help you through this I promise you.” Sunset said as she sniffed then gently ended her embrace with Applebloom.

Granny Smith nodded to Big MacIntosh as he started to lead the group outside to the east orchard towards the spot where their parents were laid to rest. Getting there Applebloom placed a small bouquet of flowers down in front of Applejacks tombstone saying as she stepped back from it.

“I love you sis, I will never forget what you did for me or how you tried to raise me right. I will make myself into a better person one that you can be proud of.I will never forget you Applejack. I’ll look after the farm and make sure it is just as beautiful as it has always been.” Applebloom said as she wiped a few tears from her eyes.

Sunset laid a gentle hand on her shoulder saying to her as she looked at Applejack’s tombstone.

“I will be here to help you with that Applebloom. I promise I will always be here for you.” Sunset said as Applebloom turned to her and grabbed onto her by her waist crying into her stomach.

Sunset knelt down and took a hold of Applebloom holding her tightly in her arms until Applebloom had cried herself dry. Granny Smith placed a small apple down where Applejack’s tombstone was and cried as she started to walk away from the others. Big MacIntosh placed his hand onto the stone itself then nodded turning away he followed Granny Smith back to the house. Twilight and Celestia both placed flowers down on her grave with Twilight saying as she backed away from the stone.

“Goodbye my friend I will miss you. I will honor your friendship and your love to me. We will see each other again someday.” Twilight said as Celestia laid a gentle hand onto her shoulder.

Celestia looked at Applejacks tombstone saying softly as she cried.

“I will also honor you Applejack I will never forget you either goodbye Applejack.” Celestia said as she turned to leave.

Rainbow, Rarity and Fluttershy all placed flowers down on the ground in front of Applejacks tombstone each of them said there own goodbyes then all turned to leave. Sunset stood up and took Applebloom by the hand leading her away from her sister's grave. Applebloom as she was being gently led away turned and took one last look at her sister's tombstone saying softly as Sunset held her by her hand.

“Goodbye my sister I swear I will never forget you.” Applebloom said as Sunset gently led her away from the tombstone back towards the farm house.

Once everyone got to the house and were inside of it they all headed into the kitchen MacIntosh took out several glasses and a bottle of apple cider. Pouring the cider into the each glass he handed one to each of Applejack’s friends then handed a glass to Applebloom. Each of them raised a glass and toasted to Applejack’s memory. The rest of the day was spent with each of Applejack’s friends laughing and sharing their happy memoirs of Applejack. The next day Sunset and her friends attended school. During lunch Twilight  walked with Sunset as she and Sunset headed outside of the school. Twilight looked at Sunset then said to her as she sat down on the steps outside of CHS.

“How are you doing since you got back from Equestria Sunset?” Twilight asked as Sunset sat down next to her.

Sunset looked over at the statue then looked back at Twilight saying to her as let out a sigh.

“I am doing…..well I guess. I don’t know Twilight. I still feel like Applejack shouldn’t have gone over there that all this was somehow my fault. Twilight is it wrong of me to feel like this?” Sunset asked as she set down her backpack next to Twilight.

Twilight smiled warmly to her saying gently to her as she looked at Sunset then looked off towards the portal and finally back at Sunset. Who in turn smiled weakly to Twilight as Twilight’s gaze locked with Sunsets eyes.

“No Sunset it is not wrong of you to feel like this you are hurting and in need of someone that can help you. I am glad that you are seeking that out through therapy tell me will Pinkie be going with you when you have your first session today after school?” Twilight asked as she looked at Sunset who in turn sighed then said to her.

“Yes she will be going with me. It…..well it feels good to be able to talk with someone that barely knows me who can offer me guidance without me feeling like I am being judged for all the horrible things I did.” Sunset replied to Twilight as she watched the portal intently.  

“None of that was your fault Sunset you didn’t ask to have the power that you have. Nor, did you ask to be treated like you were by Princess Celestia. I know you don’t trust her or like her for that matter but, I want you to know I think she is really truly sorry for what she has done to you.” Twilight said to Sunset as she watched Sunset stand up and walk over to the portal.

Sunset laid a hand on the portal causing it to ripple and turn bright blue turning back to Twilight Sunset folded her arms under her chest as she said with her back leaning against the statue’s base.

“Twilight are you…..are you upset with me for walking away from Equestria for abandoning all that is my birthplace and home?” Sunset said as she looked down at the ground not noticing Twilight getting up and walking over to her.

Twilight took Sunset into her arms and hugged her tightly saying to her as she held her in her arms.

“I am not angry with you at all Sunset. I understand fully why you did what you did. In fact if I had been in your place I would have done the same thing. You are right that what Princess Celestia did to you and to your mother was not right at all. I intended to fully bring this up with her when I get back to Equestria.” Twilight said as she held Sunset in her arms.

Sunset returned the embrace by giving one of her own saying to Twilight as she held onto her.

“Twilight I need you to be very honest with me about what I am going to ask you. I don’t want any type of show where you try to avoid this question.” Sunset as she ended the embrace then leaned against the statue looking down at the ground.

“Ok Sunset I fully promise I will be perfectly honest with you about what it is that you are going to ask of me.” Twilight said as she stood in front of Sunset not sure as to what Sunset was about to ask of her.

“Is this my actual punishment for stealing your crown and for being demon born not to mention for breaking away from Celestia and walking away from Equestria?” Sunset so bluntly that Twilight almost turned white at hearing her friend ask her this.

“Sunset how can you even consider asking me something like that. Of course this not your punishment. You are in no way being punished for leaving your birth home or for stealing my crown or for leaving Celestia's side. Now let me ask you this why do you think you are being punished for those actions?” Twilight asked as she looked deadpan at Sunset with her arms folded under her own chest.

“Because even when I am with Pinkie even though I say I love her which I really do indeed love her I still feel lost and along. I killed my family when my powers first showed up, I have lost my mentor, I have lost my home. I have the power of a demon inside of me. I turned into a raging she-demon that tried to kill you and the others. I tried to steal your crown and I wanted nothing more than power and means to rule with that power. I really am just worthless after all and for you or someone else to not want to punish me for this seems a bit well a bit strange to me.” Sunset said not noticing Pinkie was coming out of the front doors of CHS.

“Sunset you are not being punished at all Pinkie loves you and you are not alone.”Twilight said unaware that Pinkie was coming up from behind her.

“Sunset honey, Twilight is right you are not alone in this world I love you very much.” Pinkie chimed in as she walked up behind Twilight causing both Twilight and Sunset to jump.

“Pinkie how long have you been standing there!?!” exclaimed Twilight as she put hand over her heart as she calm down from the intel shock she was in at seeing Pinkie standing right behind her.

“Long enough to hear Sunny say she feels alone in this world. Which she is not in any way alone at all. I don’t know how I will show her this but, I intend to show it to her.” Pinkie said as the bell rang signaling that Lunch was over.

Sunset sighed then walked up to Pinkie saying to her with her head hung low as a tear slipped past her teal colored eyes and trickled down her cheek.

“I am sorry Pinkie I di….” Sunset was cut off when Pinkie grabbed her around her waist and kissed her passionately.

Twilight smiled as she looked at her two good friends melting into each other's arms and Pinkie fully held Sunset tightly in her arms kissing her deeply on her lips. Ending the embrace she got from her girlfriend Sunset offered a weak smile to Pinkie who in turn said to her gently.

“You feel better honey?” Pinkie asked as Sunset sighed while Twilight smiled warmly to both of them.

“Yes I do. I never meant to say that I feel alone even when I am with you honey.” Sunset said as she started to look back to the ground.

Pinkie placed her hand under Sunset’s chin raising her head up so that their eyes locked with each others. Saying to her as she looked into Sunsets eyes and she looked back into Pinkie's eyes.

“You don’t ever say you are sorry again for how you feel. Sunset if you feel alone in this world then please let me show you that you are not alone that you have friends who love you and care about you. Let me fill your beautiful heart with all the love in the world. Now we need to get to class before Celestia or Luna for that matter sends out a search party. Twilight will you be coming with us or are you going to head back to Equestria now?”

“I will be going home in a few moments I know I said I would stay but, I have to help rebuild Ponyville and there are other matters that need my attention. I will come back before you two are to be wed besides I want to be able to perform the wedding ceremony.” Twilight said as she looked at Pinkie and Sunset.

“Thank you Twilight now Pinkie and I need to get to class. You are welcome in my….er in the house that my mother has any time I am sure she won’t object to seeing you again.” Sunset said as she headed inside the school.

Pinkie nodded to Twilight then headed inside as well. Twilight smiled to herself then stepped through the portal. A few minutes latter she found herself inside her bedroom looking around the destroyed castle. Just as she was about to use her magic to disconnect her book from the mirror Spike came in as did Rarity who said to her with her gaze facing towards the floor.

“Darling I am glad you are back you need to go to Applejack's tomb Twilight something really bad has happened. There is also something that I need to tell you as well something that all but, breaks my heart to say yet it must be said regardless of how I personally feel about it.” Rarity said to Twilight as she continued to look at the floor of Twilight's bedroom.

“Rarity what is going on? Why do you look so upset? And what happened at Applejack's tomb?” Twilight asked as she stared at her friend.

“My sister, my beautiful one and only sister has become…...corrupted a monster calling himself Scitalis used foul magic on her changing her into a demon who now calls herself Sweet Surgat. Applejack’s tomb has been….violated in the most horrid of ways. You need to go there and find out what happened. Spike and I were just there along with Applejack of this world. She wanted to go into the tomb to see if her counterpart was the one that did this. But we instead chose to come back here.” Rarity said to Twilight who looked at her with clear expression of shock on her face.

“Alright Rarity you and Applejack stay here I am going to go to the mirror world’s  Applejack's tomb I have to see it for myself I have to know what happened.” Twilight replied as she slowly began to get over the internal shock of hearing what happened to Applejack’s tomb.

As Twilight began to walk out of her bedroom chamber Rarity called out to her stopping her in her tracks.

“Twilight there is one more thing that you need to know before you go.” Rarity said as she looked at her friend who turned around to face her.

“And what would that be Rarity?” Twilight all but growled out in anger.

“The queen seems to think that Rainbow Dash would be of help to you although I am not sure as to how or even why.” Rarity said as Twilight turned back around then walked out of her bedroom chamber.

Twilight made her way to the tomb just as she was about to enter it Rainbow landed next to her saying to her.

“Twilight I got a message from Discord saying that you needed me to meet you here. What happened here it looks like something really big and mean tore apart Applejack’s tomb?” Rainbow said as she looked around then walked over to the broken slab that made up the door of the tomb itself.

Twilight walked over to it looked at it then said to Rainbow who looked at her with a look of confusion on her face.

“Those marks on the stone if you are wondering Rainbow are claw marks they could only have been done from inside the tomb itself. Stay out here I want to go inside the tomb and see if Applejack’s body is still in there.” Twilight said as she looked from the slab then to Rainbow.

“But, I…” Rainbow started to say before she was cut off with a sharp glare from Twilight.

Twilight walked back over to the tomb used her magic to light her way then descended the small flight of stairs leading into the tomb itself. A few minutes latter she found herself standing in front of what was left of Applejack’s coffin. The lid had been ripped off and lay shattered next to the stone box that it covered. The walls were completely covered in claw marks the coffin base was broken in two and lay half on a slab of stone that was meant to hold the coffin in place. While the other half of it lay broken against the back far wall of the tomb itself. Huge gouge marks and claw marks covered the coffin's lid from the inside of it. Droplets of blood could be seen heading up the steps and out of the tomb. Twilight looked around for Applejacks bow, daggers and axe and throwing axes yet could not find them anywhere inside the tomb. Twilight followed the droplets of blood leading out of the tomb once she got outside Rainbow who was standing next to the doorway of the tomb itself followed her as Twilight began to walk away from the tomb. Looking closely at the ground and stilling following the droplets of blood Twilight saw the same burned footprints that Rarity and Applejack of Equestria had found earlier. A few minutes latter Twilight stopped in her tracks when she found the burned line that Rarity and Applejack had found when they first came to see the mirror worlds Applejack’s tomb. Looking back at Rainbow Twilight said to her as she turned around to leave the graveyard.

“I have to go back to the mirror world Rainbow wait for me at what is left of my castle I have to go talk to the human Pinkie Pie. I have to hear what she has to say about Amora’s death that information might help me to determine what is going on here.” Twilight said as she unfurled her wings then took off for her castle with Rainbow following her.

Getting back to her castle Rarity could be seen backing away from a pony that whose fur was as black as obsidian and eyes as red as blood. Her bat like leather wings tucked just to her left and right sides and her mane was as white as snow. The pony could be heard saying as Twilight landed a few feet behind Rarity with Rainbow landing next to Twilight.

“Hello Rarity don’t you recognize me?” Sweet Surgat said as she slowly approached Rarity who was clearly frightened and backing away from her little sister.

“Sweetie Belle is it you?” Rarity said as she slowly backed away from her little sister.

“I am no longer Sweetie Belle I am Sweet Surgat and you Rarity you are dead!” Sweet Surgat said as she let her horn began to fill with magic.

Seeing that Sweetie Belle was about to attack and being loyal to her friends Rainbow ran forward and pushed Rarity out of the way just as her sister launched her attack. As the energy bolt flew towards Rainbow Dash, Rainbow closed her eyes waiting to be hit by the energy bolt launched at her from Sweetie Belle. At the last possible second Discord suddenly appeared in front of Rainbow snapping his fingers he used his magic to cause Sweetie Belle and her attack on Rainbow to vanish. Rainbow opened her eyes and looked around then saw Rarity sobbing while lying her stomach as she cried out in anger at what had become of her little sister. Discord nodded to Twilight who in turn sighed and nodded back to him as he snapped his fingers again. Rarity's sister reappeared only this time locked in a metal cage Rarity looked away from her little sister as she heard her sister scream out to her.

“Let me out! I will kill you for this Rarity do you hear me I will kill you for this!” Sweet Surgot screamed out as she tried to use her magic to free herself.

Just as Discord was about to disappear again Scitalis also appeared in front of the cage that Sweetie Belle was locked in. Smiling he raised a hand above his head and let lose a lightning bolt that struck the cage breaking it into. Once freed from her cage Sweet Surgot ran to her master's side saying to him.

“We should go. I can’t take on all of them at once and with Discord here he could cause more problems than what it would be worth to fight him.” Sweet Surgot said as she looked into her masters amber colored eyes.

“You are right my young student we will leave.” Scitalis said as he snapped his fingers opening a portal behind him.

Turning to face Twilight he called out to her while Sweetie Belle jumped through the portal saying to Twilight as he laughed while walking into the portal himself.

“If you want to save either your mare friend or this little filly that is now my student Twilight then come to Tartarus I will await you in the gatherer pits. Once there you will taste my vengeance and you will fully pay for what you took from me.” Scitalis said as he stepped through the portal causing it to slam shut just as twilight jumped at it.

Twilight missing her chance to go after Sweetie Belle or Scitalis ran inside her castle and to her bedroom chamber. Without a word to her friends she who had all followed her she jumped through the portal and a few minutes latter found herself standing in front of CHS. Heading inside the school she quickly found Principal Celestia’s office as she knocked on the door Principal Celestia looked up from her work. Seeing Twilight standing in her office doorway she said to her.

“Twilight I was not expecting you back so soon. What brings you here at this time of day all of the students have already left.” Celestia said to Twilight who took a seat in front of her.

“I need to know where Pinkie and Sunset are at this moment it is very important that I find them.” Twilight said as she looked at Celestia from her seat in front of her desk.

“Sunset and Pinkie are at Sunset’s first therapy session Twilight I am sorry but due to confidentiality reasons I can not take you there. However if you like I can call Pinkie and ask her to go home with Sunset then I can take you to Sunset’s home and let you wait there for her and Pinkie.” Celestia said as she looked at Twilight then back down at her paper work.

Twilight noticing the stacks of files on Celestia’s desk looked from them then back up to her as she said to her.

“What’s all this paperwork for if I may ask that is?” Twilight said as Celestia picked up a file then opened it and started to read it.

“What, oh, this is all the paperwork that I have to fill out to expel the sisters of Rarity, Rainbow and…...Applejack. Twilight I know you might think of that as a very harsh thing for me to do seeing as how Applebloom has lost her sister. But, you need to understand that we have a zero bullying policy here at CHS.” Celestia said as Twilight looked at her with a slight amount of anger showing in her eyes.

“I don’t mean to tell you how to do your job but, where was your policy when Sunset was here three years ago picking on the other students?” Twilight said while trying to remain calm.

“Twilight I don’t need or appreciate your tone of voice towards me. As for Sunset bullying the other students three years ago you are right I should have done to her what I am doing to the crusaders now. But, I saw in her what I saw in myself that was someone that really needed me to be there for her to help her. I can not let what the crusaders did to Sunset pass by without some sort of punishment it wouldn’t be fair to Sunset or to the student body for that matter.” Celestia said as Twilight stood up and closed her eyes then slowly reopened them saying to her in reply.

“You talk about fairness yet you don’t take into account that little Applebloom has lost not only her sister but with this expulsion she will lose her friends as well. How is that suppose to be fair?” Twilight said as she glared at Celestia who set her file back onto her desk and stood up.

“Tell you what Twilight we will do this I will ask Sunset what she wants to do with them if she wants them out of this school then that is what will happen. If however she chooses to let them stay then I will give them ten months of detention followed by community service to supervised by Sunset herself. As well as they will not be able to take part in any school activity including field trips of any kind they will also be given six times as much homework as the other students. It is either that or they can face leaving the school for good but, I warn you now any more words on this subject and I WILL fully kick those brats out of this school.” Celestia said as Twilight raised a eyebrow to her.

“Very well I agree to your terms now will you please call Pinkie then take me to Sunsets home so that I might be able to speak to her. I will need you to remain there with me so that once I am done speaking to her I will be able to head back here and go back to Equestria.” Twilight replied as she sat back down in her chair.

Principal Celestia nodded then sat back down and picked up her phone placing it to her ear she dialed Pinkie’s number. A few minutes later she left a voicemail for Pinkie then hung up the phone got up and directed Twilight to follow her. Twilight did so without question as they got to her car Celestia’s cell phone rang. Answering the phone Celestia said into it while holding it to her ear.

“Oh, good so you got my message then Pinkie. Yes I understand Twilight will be at Sunset’s home within oh, say about thirty minutes. Alright we will see you then Pinkie oh, please tell Sunset for me that I am very proud of her taking this first step to recovery. I look forward to continuing helping her with her road to recovery. Alright we will see you both in about twenty minutes then good bye Pinkie.” Celestia said into her phone with Twilight standing next to her chewing on her lower lip.

Looking at Twilight Celestia said to her as she opened the car door for her.

“Alright Pinkie and Sunset just got done with Sunset’s first appointment Sunset is feeling a bit worn out by the day's events. She and Pinkie are both a bit confused as to why you are back so soon when it sounded like to them at least you weren’t going to come back until the fall. I can stay at Sunset’s place but, not very long so whatever it is that you need from Pinkie you need to make it quick. I have a lot of work that needs to get done. As for our arrangement I will talk to Sunset as I said I would but, not until tomorrow right now she needs time to rest.” Celestia said as Twilight got into her car.

Celestia shut the door of the passenger side to her car then walked over to the other side got in started up the car and began to drive towards Rose Cherry's home. Getting there thirty minutes later both her and Twilight got out then headed up to the house. Twilight knocked on the door and Rose Cherry answered it saying to her and to Celestia.

“Hello Twilight, Celestia it is good to see you both again. Please come in. Sunset and Pinkie both got back about ten minutes before you showed up they are waiting for you in the living room. If you both will follow me please I will take you to them.”

Following Rose Cherry into the living room Twilight and Celestia both took a seat on some chairs that lined the living room. Pinkie and Sunset sat across from them on a couch that was on the far back wall while Rose headed into the kitchen to give her daughter and Pinkie some privacy. Twilight looked from Pinkie then to Sunset saying to Pinkie as she cleared her throat.

“First I would like to say that I am very happy to see that Sunset is taking her first steps to a full recovery. Second I am sorry Sunset that I can not be apart of that recovery there have been a few unforeseen developments in Equestria that I did not expect to happen. Now as for the reason why I am here Pinkie I need you to tell me everything that happened with you and Amora. Because you were the last one to see her you are the one that can answer this question. So what happened after she killed the dragon Arighith.” Twilight said as Pinkie looked from Sunset then back to Twilight then looked down at the floor.

Sunset took Pinkie by the hand saying to her gently as she held her girlfriend's hand in her own.

“It’s okay honey I am here you can go ahead and tell her she won’t get angry with you if that is what you are still worried about.” Sunset gently to Pinkie who looked up at her then to Twilight who quirked a eyebrow at Sunset.

“Why would I be angry with Pinkie, Sunset it is not like she wanted to leave you for her?” Twilight asked with her eyebrow raised up and as a confused look came over her face.

“I thought you would be angry with me for forgiving Amora and not being able to save her life. The dragon Arighith killed her or at least I think he did. He impaled her on his foot with a clawed toe. Her body disappeared while I held her in my arms. I told her that I forgave her for all that she had done and that she was my friend. I had wanted to help change her evil ways and make her good. Somehow I was able to see the good in her. She appeared to me in a ghost like state after the blacksmith knocked me out. I am not sure why he attacked me like that only that he did. Amora told me that I needed to come back here and live my life which would include Sunset being in my life.” Pinkie said to Twilight who closed her eyes then slowly reopened them saying to her gently.

“I see. Pinkie I am in no way angry with you at all.There is no shame in you forgiving one as foul as Amora was for all that she had done. Now what about her sword what happened to the dragon slayer?” Twilight said as she stood up from her chair.

Looking up at Twilight Pinkie said to her as too got up along with Sunset.

“It disappeared I am not sure where it went. When Amora’s body vanished in my arms there was a bright yellow or orange circular aura that came down from the sky and covered both me and Amora. I thought it was a sign of there still being goodness and beauty left in your world Twilight I told this to Amora before she disappeared.”

“Did her sword glow at all when it disappeared from your hand Pinkie?” Twilight asked as she put a finger to her chin tapping her chin a few times.

“I think so yet I am not sure I really didn’t pay much attention to it. If it did then I am not sure why that would be so important to you.” Pinkie replied as Sunset took a hold of her hand again then looked from her to Twilight saying to Twilight.

“If her sword glowed green then she has gone back to Tartarus with full honor and thus is fully engaged in battle with the one that stole her throne. I think you need to tell us what has happened since we left Equestria and why it was so important for you to come here when you made it clear to us that you didn’t want to come back until our wedding Twilight. I don’t mean in any way to sound mean or ungrateful that you are here with us believe me I am happy to see you again. But I thought you had things that needed to be taken care of in Equestria.” Sunset said as Twilight looked from her then to Pinkie.

Sighing deeply Twilight placed a hand over her heart as she looked back at Sunset and Pinkie then closed her eyes as she said to them.

“I have reason to believe that Applejack is alive. Also the Sweetie Belle from my world has become…….corrupted by foul dark magic and is trying to kill her sister Rarity. I think the same magic that was used on Sweetie Belle to corrupt her was also used on Applejack to do the same to her as well. Some demon or creature calling himself Scitalis took Sweetie Belle to Tartarus claiming that he will meet me in the gatherer pits. I have a feeling that Applejack of this world is there as well. Such was said to me when Scitalis left Equestria taking Sweetie Belle with him. I went to Applejack's tomb her body was gone there were signs of claw marks all over the tomb itself. Her coffin was cleaved in two the lid to her coffin was broken and clawed from the inside. There were droplets of blood leading up and out of the tomb itself and footprints leading towards a burn mark in the ground. I followed the footprints for a few feet away from the tomb and found a burn mark that could only have been caused by a portal leading to Tartarus.” Twilight said as Rose Cherry came back into the living room then immediately went to Sunset’s side.

Rose Cherry helped her daughter to sit back down on the couch as Sunset looked at Twilight while she felt all the color in her skin leave her. As Sunset looked at Twilight, Twilight noticed Sunset had a look of fear and shock on her face as she said to Twilight with her mother sitting next to her.

“Scitalis is the father to the sirens. Twilight you can not face him in battle. He is one of the most powerful siren demi gods around. He was apart of the beginning of Equestria. Amora told me of him and how he created the oceans and filled them with life. But, he became drunk on that power and fully corrupted by it. The only reason that I can think for him doing all that you say he has done is that his daughters have died and thus he blames us for it and rightly so. Twilight there are a few things you need to know if you are going to go to Tartarus.” Sunset said to Twilight who looked at her with a half confused look on her face.

“Ok so uh, how did Amora find out about Scitalis and what are the things that I need to know about Tartarus before I go there.” Twilight asked as she took a seat next to Sunset.

“First you can not under any reason whatsoever eat or drink any and I do mean ANY of the food or drink offered to you by anyone that you meet in Tartarus. If you do you will not be able to leave Tartarus at all. Secondly it is very important that you take with you pegasi whether that be Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy or some other pegasi. You need to take at least one of their kind with you. Third and final you will need to take a silver and gold coin with you. Give this to Charon to pay him for safe passage to and from the river stixs. Oh, whatever you do Twilight do NOT look Charon directly in the eyes if you do so you will become his slave forever. Only a pegasi can do this without becoming his slave.” Sunset replied to Twilight who looked at her with a even more confused look on her face.

“Okay why can I not eat the food or drink anything when I get to Tartarus, Sunset?” Twilight asked as she could be seen trying to relieve herself of her confusion.

Sighing Sunset replied to her as she placed a hand on the bridge of her nose squeezing lighting as she looked down at the floor as if her body language was saying to Twilight ‘really’.

“Ok look Twilight you can’t eat or drink the food of the demons unless you have become corrupted by a demon. I was able to eat and drink while I was over there because Amora corrupted me. If I was to go there now and eat or drink anything offered to me by the demons that live in that hellhole I would wind up becoming a demon again. Only this time there would be no way to free me from that insanity.” Sunset replied to Twilight grimly.

“Ok what about taking a pegasi with me why do I need to take Rainbow or Fluttershy with me?”  Twilight asked again with more confusion showing on her face.

“Because only a pegasi can tell a real demon from a fake one and only a pegasi will be able to find Sweetie Belle and Applejack. That is if they have not already been so far corrupted that they chose to stay in Tartarus forever.” Sunset said as Twilight showed a clear sign of hurt and anger on her face.

“So what you are telling me is that if Applejack or Sweetie Belle have become absolutely corrupted by what Scitalis has done to them they will not be able to leave that awful place.” Twilight replied as began to come to realize how powerful her enemy was.

“Yes Twilight that is what I am telling you and before you ask I will not be going with you. I do not want to go there again. I can however do one thing for you before you leave to journey to that hellhole.” Sunset as she slowly stood up from the couch she had been sitting on.

“What is that Sunset?” Twilight asked as she watched Sunset walk out of the room then return a few seconds latter with her backpack.

Setting the bag down in front of Pinkie and Twilight, Sunset swallowed hard as she tipped the bag upside down then ripped the bottom of it open. As she removed a piece of parchment from the bottom of the bag she handed it to Twilight saying to her.  

“This is a map that Amora drew for me when I first started going to and from Tartarus it was part of a deal that I made with her before I told her off. I hid the map inside the bottom of my bag and sewed the bottom shut so that Amora could not find and retrieve this item. It will lead you to her castle and thus with her at your side you should be able to find tools and other items that might help you on your quest to save Applejack and Sweetie Belle. Just keep in mind when you go there that Tartarus is NOT Equestria and that your authority means absolutely nothing to those that live there. If you go hoofing your nose at how things are done there you will for certain wind up either dead or corrupted into a demon. Amora being a queen of demons is the ONLY one that can give orders to the demons that reside within Tartarus. Take this map follow it, find Amora’s castle and get her to help you to free Applejack and Sweetie Belle. Oh, just so you know taking the element of magic with you to that place is a really bad idea Twilight. Doing so with alert the demons to your presence and this needs to be a mission of stealth not a mission of go in and kick butt. You will come across demons that are so damn powerful that even you will not be able to beat them.” Sunset said as Twilight took the map from her hand and looked it over then looked back up at Sunset with a half smile on her face.

Twilight nodded to Sunset then headed for front the door of Sunsets home with Sunset saying to her as she reached the door itself.

“Twilight be careful. Don’t trust anyone that you meet in Tartarus and don’t let your pride get in the way of your judgement. If something there feels or looks off to you then it is off and you need to be prepared to deal with it. I am sorry that I won’t go with you to help you but, I can’t face that place again. If I do I will be driven mad you don’t know of the horrors that I saw while I was there or the things that Amora did to me to train me for the war that we fought in.” Sunset said as Twilight stopped in her tracks then looked at her saying to her as she opened the front door.

“I understand, Sunset I know you must have gone through what the humans call ‘hell’ over there I won’t ask or force you to go with me. Thank you for the map and for telling me what I needed to know I will take my copy of the journal with me in case there is anything else you need to tell me. And so we can stay in contact with each other while I am over there. I will do as you have asked of me I will bring Rainbow with me and I will make sure to have a gold and silver coin with me to pay this uh, Charon for safe passage through Tartarus.” Twilight said as looked at Sunset then stepped outside with Celestia following her.

Sunset watched from the doorway of her home as Twilight and Celestia both got into Celestia’s car then drove off. Pinkie came up behind Sunset laying a gentle hand onto her shoulder saying to her as she looked into Sunsets teal colored eyes.

“Come on Sunny lets go get some sleep you will feel better in the morning after you have had some sleep.” Pinkie said as she looked at Sunset who sighed thens aid to her.

“Don’t you need to call your family and let them know that you are going to be staying over again?” Sunset asked as she looked at Pinkie who in turn grinned to her.

“Yeah I do but, I need to ask you something before I call them.” Pinkie replied softly as she looked down at the floor.

“What’s that?” Sunset replied.

“Would it be alright with you and with your mom if I move in here with you? What I am going to say to my parents will more than likely get me kicked out of my house.” Pinkie said as she felt Sunset place her hands onto her shoulders saying to her.

“Are you telling me you didn’t tell your mother and father about us? That you didn’t tell them we are a couple and that we are going out?’ Sunset asked sternly to Pinkie who kept her gaze fixed on the floor as she meekly squeaked out to her girlfriend.

“Yes because my parents are so damn conservative that I know they would and will freak when I tell them about this. I told them before I came out of school finding you and Twilight in front of the school earlier today that I would be studying with you until late tonight. I have yet to even tell them that you and I are dating each other. Let alone that I have been fully sleeping with you. I am after all old enough to make my own choices in life Sunny. Yet my father and mother seem to think it is alright for them to tell me who I should or shouldn’t date.” Pinkie said as a tear left her right eye and trickled down her cheek.  

Sunset looked over at her mother who nodded to her then said to Pinkie as she returned her gaze back to her.

“It is alright with me if you move in. But, I think we should at least give them the benefit of the doubt as to how they will react to you being with me first.”  Sunset said as Pinkie reached into her pants pocket pulling out her phone.

Dialing her house number she got her mother and on the phone holding the phone up to her ear Pinkie said with to her mother as Sunset stood next to her.

“Mom there I think is something that you and I need to talk about.” Pinkie said to her mother over the phone with Sunset motioning with her hand to for her to continue and trying to offer her girlfriend encouragement.

Pinkie swallowed hard as she said to her mother over the phone while Sunset laid a gentle hand on to Pinkie's shoulder.  

“Mom you need to know why I have been spending so much time with Sunset Shimmer these past few weeks. It is because I am in…..love with her.” Pinkie said as she suddenly pulled the phone away from her ear as her mother could be heard screaming through the other end.

Her mother’s screaming and swearing caused Sunset to take the phone from Pinkie while Pinkie ran upstairs crying. Holding Pinkie’s phone up to her own ear Sunset said angrily to Pinkies mother as she grew more and more angry with her.

“Now look here Mrs. Pie there is no reason what so fucking ever for you to talk to your own blood and flesh like that. Just because she and I are fucking dating doesn’t mean you have the fucking right to treat her like shit. Therefore I will be offering your daughter a place to stay here for as long as she wants it. I will also after school be stopping by with Pinkie to help her pack what she wants to take with her so that she can move in here. If you don’t fucking like that, then that is just too fucking damn bad. Goodbye you self righteous bitch!” Sunset said into the phone as her mother raised a eyebrow to her daughter.

Rose Cherry said to Sunset as Sunset hung up the phone and looked at her mother then face palmed herself when she realized how she reacted to the situation.

“That could have been handled a bit better Sunset. I do respect you for standing up for Pinkie and all, but, it still should have been handled a bit better than that.” Rose said to Sunset who let out a soft sigh as she said to her mother gently.

“I know mom I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with Pinkies mom like that but, I am sure you heard what she called her own daughter as that self righteous woman screeched into the phone. I can’t stand to think that Pinkies own mother would actually say that about her own flesh and blood.” Sunset said as she started to head up stairs to be with Pinkie.

Finding Pinkie on her bed Sunset walked into her room and took a hold of her holding her tightly in her arms as Pinkie cried into Sunsets shoulders. Sunset rubbed Pinkie's back and ran her fingers through Pinkies hair gently saying to her as she calmed her girlfriend down.

“Honey I want you to know that it doesn’t matter what your mother thinks of you. What matters is that I love you and I will NEVER treat you like that not ever.” Sunset said as she and Pinkie held each other tightly in each other's arms.

Pinkie calmed down enough to kiss Sunset on her lips and Sunset melted into her girlfriends kiss with the two of them spending the rest of the night enthralled in each other's passion and love. Rose Cherry headed to bed with Sunset and Pinkie spending the entire night making love to each other. Twilight in the meantime had been dropped off in front of CHS as Principal Celestia said her goodbyes to her Twilight sighed then stepped back through the portal. Getting back to Equestria Twilight found Rainbow and the rest of her friends waiting for her in castle looking around Twilight looked to her friends as she said to them when saw that her castle was completely fixed.

“Uh, what happened while I was gone you guys and who fixed my home I mean it looks like it was never even damaged.” Twilight said as Rainbow stepped forward saying to her.

“That would be Discord he fixed up your castle good as new. Uh, that is once Fluttershy had a stern talking with him about it. He just so happens to be out front right now waiting for you and me with the queen as well. Luna and Celestia are also waiting for us so we shouldn’t keep them waiting to much longer. None of us is really sure what is going on. Oh, you should know that Cloudsdale is also fixed well mostly but, yeah we should get going Twilight. It is so not going to be cool to keep the Queen waiting on us like this.” Rainbow said as she and the rest of Twilight's friends turned to head out of Twilight's bedroom chamber.

Twilight let out a soft sigh then followed her friend outside and found Discord, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Queen Celestial Sparkle all waiting for her outside. Celestia looked at Twilight as she watched her friends gather around her former student saying to Twilight who looked at Celestia with a confused look on her face.

“Twilight as you know I made a promise to Rainbow Dash that I would not leave her or any pony for that matter when we came back from the netherrealm. Yet because I am now Deaths replacement I must…..take my leave of Equestria. Therefore that means I must give up my power to raise and lower the sun. Before I leave for good I wish to say to you this. I know that Sunset gave you a map of Tartarus. And that Rainbow must go with you to help you find Applejack and Sweetie Belle who both have been corrupted by the evil that Scitalis is. As Deaths replacement I can decide who lives and who dies. There unto you need to understand this I will bring back to life you, Rainbow, Sweetie Belle and Applejack but, I can only do this one single time. If any of you die more than once you will remain dead. As such you will also remain in Tartarus there is nothing I can do about that.” Celestia said as she stepped forward then turned to face the queen.

Celestial Sparkle bowed to her and Celestia touched her horn to hers causing both horns to glow brightly. Once Celestia’s horn ceased glowing the queen sighed and said to her as Celestia back away from her.

“Celestia princess of Equestria it is with great sadness that I must ask of you to leave and not return. I know that as Death’s replacement you will be able to come back but, you will only be allowed here to take those that have died or those that are dying with you to the nether realm. I wish you love, light and luck in all that you now must endure. For you will never be able to be apart of our world again other than to fulfill your duty as Death. Go now and do not return until you are needed again.” Celestial Sparkle said as Celestia unfurled her wings and leapt into the air turning back to take one last look at her faithful ponies.

Rainbow closed her eyes tightly as she growled out with anger.

“We will find a way to undo this and bring you back Celestia I swear it.” Rainbow said as the queen turned her attention to her and to Twilight saying to both of them.

“As for you two I can and will open a portal into Tartarus for you both. Rainbow my wings that I have given you to replace the ones that were crushed during the war will act as armor while you are in that awful place. Twilight stick close to Rainbow when you are in Tartarus. As a Pegasi she will have the ability to tell a demon from a wrath which is what Sunset was trying to tell you about when you spoke to her in the mirror world. Take these gold and silver coins each of you. I will give you four each two for the trip there and two for the trip back. When you get to Tartarus after you have gotten Amora to side with you tell her about Applejack and Sweetie Belle. She will in turn give you both the means to make Charon take them both back over the river of stixs. Now you two must go and quickly any further delay will only serve to lessen any chance you both have at saving both Sweetie Belle and Applejack. One other thing that I must tell you Twilight. Applejack may not see you as her marefriend due to how she came back. I am sure you saw what was done to her tomb. What that monster Scitalis did to her is completely unforgivable.” Celestial Sparkle said as her horn glowed purple causing four coins to appear from out of nowhere.

Twilight used her own magic and brought out her saddlebags once she slipped them on she then turned to the right. Letting Celestial Sparkle drop the coins into the right saddle bag. Using her magic again she placed the map into the right bag as well and floated several large amounts of apples and other food to take with her. These she placed into the left side of the saddle bag. Once Twilight was fully satisfied she had all that she would need or want to take with her she nodded to Rainbow who in turn nodded back to her. Celestial Sparkle used her magic one last time to open a portal to Tartarus saying to them both as the portal opened up in front of Twilight and her friends.

“Remember Twilight don’t eat or drink anything that you find or are offered in Tartarus. Rainbow do not leave Twilight’s side even for a minute. Otherwise you will not be able to get back. Your armor will act as a compass showing you how to come home. Find Amora’s castle first then go after Applejack and Sweetie Belle do NOT try to find them without Amora at your side. Now go quickly.” Celestial Sparkle called out to Twilight and Rainbow as the portal began to close.

Rainbow and Twilight both gave a hasty goodbye to their friends as they jumped through the portal. Landing safely on the other side Rainbow felt her wings grow hard and wrap around her body forming into armor. Looking down at her newly formed armor Rainbow began to prance about saying as she strutted about like a giddy school child showing off their new backpack or new toy.

“Oh, yeah who is the coolest most awesome newly armored pegasi around that would be ME.” Rainbow said as she strutted about in front of Twilight who faced hoofed herself saying in a annoyed voice to Rainbow.

“Will stop playing around we have to find out friends and get out of here. Now come on Rainbow we don’t have time for this nonsense.” Twilight said to Rainbow as she pranced about in front of her friend.

Rainbow stopped prancing then looked at Twilight as she was about to say something she heard a loud twang noise coming from her left. Turning to see what it was that made the noise Rainbow immediately pushed Twilight to the ground as an arrow flew towards Twilight's head. The arrow hit the ground a few feet from where Rainbow and Twilight both rolled to a stop. Climbing back to their hooves Twilight looked in the direction that the arrow came from and in horror saw the creature that had fired the arrow at them. The creature flew up into the air then landed with a loud thunderous echoing thud in front of them. Raising her arms above her face and dropping them to the side the creature leaned forward with her right leg facing Twilight and her left leg behind her as she let out a loud demonic scream. Twilight saw the green color of the tunic that the demon in front of her and Rainbow was wearing as Rainbow looked from the demon then to Twilight and back at demon again she heard Twilight say.

“No. It can’t be.”  

The end?? Next Chapter: Epilogue. Estimated time remaining: 4 Minutes